To cancel or not to cancel FW order...

I went through all possible options before and after I placed an order for FW which to be honest I ordered based on an awesome design. Then I realized that laptop is just a like car, looks wear off quickly while performance and features will matter the most... with that said I am considering to go for Asus M50, it appears to have very nice bright screen with a light sensor (according to review for previous model) as well as good gaming GPU for anyone who cares 9600M GS

(this is a review for non montevina model)
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4365

Montevina review:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=273404

Check it out for yourself, but I am already preordering it now...

 

it depends on whether you have real use for the 9600 GS or not. if your not a gamer i don't think you need to get the Asus. You should check out things like the build of the laptop and how good its cooling system is. I couldn't get much of feel for that in the review.

If its about the gaming for you then i would say take it, it's got well over 1000 point advantage over the HD 3470..even though none of the resolutions match, thats a pretty large improvement. There is no actual reason to get over the FW if you don't play very demanding games.

 

I don't think its a bad idea what your doing. I understand if you want to cancel the FW order.

I mean no offense, but I don't see anything much special about the FW that the competition doesn't have. In fact, its lacking in a few things the others have. The 16" Acer 6920 for instance offers 1920x1080 resolution.

Some of the Vaio's like the SZ, TZ and Z however, I feel that these are in a league of their own in numerous qualities which others cannot yet match. For instance with the TZ, I have seen its screen blow away the Lenovo U110 and Asus U2E, both have 11.1" WXGA LED-backlit screens like the TZ.

But the FW, I don't really see what it has that makes it stand out among the rest. I'm betting I'm wrong though.

I personally think Sony's best notebooks are their smaller ones and where they really shine with their screen quality, battery life, style, etc.

 

If you need to game as primary function of the notebook, go for the ASUS. Other than a very decent 3DMark06, I see absolutely nothing about it that stands out (even the graphic implementation is ordinary...they don't even use GDDR3). The FW has more to like (unless you are a gamer):

1) HiColor Sony panel...will definitely be better than ASUS
2) Very low priced Blu-ray option and 16:9 aspect ratio
3) Isolation keyboard (I like it...you may not)
4) Decent gaming performance (3DMark of 2600 is not all that lame)
5) Apparently, FW speakers are quite good
6) Sony support; ASUS has some of the worst support, hardware & drivers, that I've ever seen

I'll bet the FW will show about the same Windows Experience Indices with graphics indices being about 0.5 less...not enough to make the ASUS a clear choice.

 

Here is what I liked about that Asus:

1) Nice & Bright screen (330 vs 200 standard nits) will be probably as good as Sony. Also, my ideal resolution WXGA+
2) Cheaper for what you get or better bang for your buck then FW
3) Altec Lansing speakers will be better on Asus; Reviews for FW stated that speakers not that loud
4) Light sensor
5) eSata port
6) GPU is better

Here is what I don't like about Asus
1) Design is pleasing, but not outstanding
2) BluRay option is $350, but I am not getting one

 

can anyone get the nit stats for ECO and HiColor?

 

FW has better battery life compared to Asus M50vB1...

I am in the same boat as you, but I haven't ordered yet as I am still deciding, which to get. :|

 

the HiColor under the AR seems to have had an avg of 357 cd/m2 and a max of over 400. I'm expecting the FW screen to be a somewhat small improvement on that.

 

wow, after reading that Asus has ExpressGate I am sold on it...

 

How could you. After those long hours waiting for sonystyle to update their flash site...after all we've been through! I'm a human!!! I am not well!!!

But okay Klas, away to ASUS you go. I personally didn't like the FW only because the colors. Black is a no brainer. why didn't they make a black version.

 

What is that?

 

Express Gate is a small built in operating system based on Linux that is there to offer you incredibly quick boot up times if you have small tasks to perform that you don’t need to be in windows for. It has a few different modes. You can boot into internet mode wich will let you use a browswer and turn on your wireless/wired interent so you can just check some mail really fast or look up something online. There is a chat mode so you can use AIM or similar programs to chat with your friends. Plus several other modes like Skype, Photo, Music. This is a neat feature and also acts as a great emergency backup. If you corrupt your windows installation somehow, you still have a way to use your laptop and get things done.

 

Why not just use Sleep mode? I can get to my email in 5 seconds.

 

I don't know man, it's hard to say. FW is definitely better for watching Blu-ray since it's got 1600x900 as opposed to 1440x900 from Asus. Moreover, FW has 16.4" screen and true HDTV 16:9 ratio, while Asus has 15.4" and 16:10 ratio, so you will get get bigger screen and less black bars or no black bars at all with FW.

I completely agree with you that FW video card is a big turn off. 9600M GS from Nvidia is a much better card. Sony do offer higher end video card with FW, the Radeon HD 3650 which performance is slightly better than 9600M GS but they only sell such model at Europe.

I would say that if you must buy now, decide which one is more important to you Blu-ray or gaming. And if you do gaming, how much performance do you demand? Remember that 9600M GS, while much better than Radeon 3470, is not a card that will run the latest game at 60 fps with all details at max.

I am still deciding myself. I am waiting for Sony to bring their FW with Radeon 3650 line to the US market but I don't know how long I can wait since I am dying to watch Blu-ray.

 

Is there no way to install something like Asus's ExpressGate, these instant-on Linux OSs to any computer? The Voodoo Envy also has this feature.

 

yeah, well that's why we have choices

if it was just a color for me it would've been easier. I just prefer best bang for your buck

 

I don't game nor do I watch Blu-ray, but I do some video editing once in a while. Since Asus has slightly better card I might try a few games though

 

Because it drains and stresses your battery.

 

What kind of video editing? Do you simply edit home movie, add some special effects to make it look professional? Or even Photosop? Somebody corrects me if I am wrong but that is all you do, CPU power plays much more important role than the 3D video card.

But if you do some professional 3D rendering, 3D animation or CG like Pixar or something, then you do want a faster video card.

 

Yes, but neither FW nor the ASUS are road warriors so battery life is generally not a primary issue.

 

Pretty big assumption in my opinion. I would not trust factory specification on this.
Here the M50 is measured at 198 d/m² http://www.notebookjournal.de/tests/484/4

The FZ (FW ratings not available) is measured at 379 cd/m²! http://www.notebookjournal.de/tests/552/2

But the review does say the M50 screen is excellent.

And I agree with most of your reasoning, there are better offers out there than FW. (if GPU performance is of any importance)

By the way the review I linked to contains many benchmarks of HD3650.

 

looks like it's an older model or just model for another market.

The M50Sv-A1 is equipped with a 330cd/m² AUO LCD screen!

I don't do any professional video editing, just occasional home videos, otherwise I would've gone for a desktop.

 

Factory specifications do not match real life results!

For example: My Seagate harddrive is specified at 12ms average seek. In reality it's 16ms.

 

i don't care about factory specs I went based on what reviewer said...

here is an exert from the review:

Put on your shades, folks! The M50Sv-A1 is equipped with a 330cd/m² AUO LCD screen! (Most laptop screens are often limited to 200 cd/m2). The M50Sv-A1 screen does not suffer from any graininess and is extremely bright - so bright, that it puts my 22" Samsung 226BW external monitor to shame. Note the yellowish tint on the external monitor when compared with the M50Sv-A1.

if you look at the specs of 22" Samsung 226BW you'll notice that it says 300 cd/m2, which makes it true that Asus is brighter at 330 cd/m2

btw, I don't deny the fact that FW screen could be brighter, but it's not the only thing that counts... I find that eSata port, light sensor as well as ExpressGate are highly beneficial for me.

 

Sure it will be bright. How bright we don't know unless someone measures it.

I'm just not making the assumption that the M50 will have a screen as good as the double lamp Vaio FW.

 

in any case I am willing to take chances, but something tells me it will be ideal for what I need. Good luck with your choices!

 

I plan on doing some AVCHD video editing myself. But I thought the FW was good enough for that. Is it not ??

 

yup it is fine, i just wanted more bang

 

Enjoy your new laptop. How much did it cost you? Do run your own benchmarks and such when you get it so we, or I if no one else is interested, can compare it to the FW once someone gets that.

 

Thanks! it's 1400 for 2.53Ghz or 1250 for 2.26Ghz, I am not going to run any benchmarks though, it's already been done by gentech and excalibur in Asus forum. I would love to compare the FW & M50 screens, that's one of the reasons what changed my mind

 

Klas, can you take a look at my thread?

Here's the link: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=274939

Thanks man. What do you recommend, because I am in between both of them right now...

 

I went to BestBuy to check out Asus laptop and found out that FW was also there...

It was a non HiColor screen which is pretty much identical to every other screen out there. I think HPs (DV) have the worst screens of all. Low contrast and colors look really washed out in comparison to other brands. Enough about screens... my impression of FW....

... big, not heavy, but big. I used FZ on lap 50% of the time, but this one even being 1" wider looks really huge to be sitting on the lap.

Design is nice, feels like it's very solid laptop, although all plastic Asus also felt pretty solid.

Keybord is a huge improvement over FZ and SZ which I couldn't stand.

FW was running/idling warmer then a plasticy Asus with 9700GT card

Speakers seemed loud enough, but I didn't tested it for long

Overall, I still feel like I am not getting best bang with this laptop.

 

Sony tends to overprice their notebooks. Your paying more for the brand name, style and quality rather than the hardware and performance.

This is the reason why I was looking at Sager/Clevo in the first place. They give you a lot more bang for your buck, despite their notebooks' thickness.

There is no perfect notebook. Every notebook is missing something...

I'm patiently waiting for something better to come out...

The only thing that is holding me back from ordering a FW series notebook is the graphics card. I want a notebook that will be able to play any game I throw at it, without any issues.

 

I agree Cossack, every notebook I see seems to be lacking something its competitor has to make it perfect. Like if only the FW had a better videocard some of its competitors have (well, European FWs get a better card than U.S or Japan).

Its almost like these manufacturers do not want to create the perfect notebook, they have to cut something out.

 

did you check that new Asus? That's the one I looked at BestBuy, it has 9700 GT

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8906133&st=g50&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1213046768588

 

I love the descriptions these clueless marketing people come up with:

"This powerful laptop features high-speed wireless connectivity for blazing-fast gaming."

Yeah, baby, let's make sure it has N wireless so we can max out our 3DMark06 score and blow through Crysis!!

 

I wouldn't replace a Sony with any of the laptops Asus currently offers.
I had two Asus latops, a V1jp and a U6Sg and both created me trouble because the build materials are nowhere near as good as Sony or Lenovo (carbon or magnesium case).
The V1jp broke at the left hinge, the whole thing ended up coming apart and I could see electronic bits from the open gap. Asus replaced the lid (reused the existing display) and guess what, after 5 months the problem is re-happening at exactly the same spot so that pushed me to get rid of it ASAP.
The U6Sg went 3 times for repair and that's over 4 months, 2 times the drive (Seagate Momentus 5400.4 250GB) failed and one time I was getting random sleep mode activation (due to I guess a bad contact in the replaced motherboard).
I've ordered a VAIO FW yesterday and I will order a Z as soon as it's available.
To me paying an extra 30% to get quality & durable hardware is a no brainer.
And in case you live in the UK, then definitely stay well clear of Asus because their customer support is worst I've experienced.

 

I agree, I currently own an Asus laptop and I've owned two Sony laptops. Sony does have the higher build quality.

 

well, theres something you have to take into account too.
what is the reason that DELL is so popular? Even though the build quality is not good at all (customer support is not bad though). PRICE PRICE PRICE. Price is the first factor for many people. Buy them new, enjoy for couple months and sell it before the reliability issue comes into play, then you will have a good experience and happy with the purchase.

It is really sad that the new lineups are not offer better graphic cards, not a huge difference from the previous generation SZ.

 

Yep. They offer discounts up the ying yang.

And guess what? I've never had a problem with any of my Dell computers (laptops or desktops)... and I've owned a lot of them.

 

Great for you!!
I have about 20 Dell laptops here at work. NONE of them can last 2 years working flawlessly (without going to repair). Not that it was treated badly, but the laptop was not built to last. Probably Dell has timed it so good that it makes you to purchase a new laptop every 2-3 years.

 

Yeah, I hear that a lot. I guess I just got lucky.

 

Yep you were lucky. Most dells go under repair within 6 months. Their customer service(thanks to all my fellow brown ppl in the homeland, who will tell you their name is david and they are from california..lol) and price give people an incentive to buy it. Essentially you don't really realized that in 3 yrs you may have bought two to three dells for a combined price of over $2000, whereas you'll fidget buying the VAIO that'll last you those 3 yrs paying its price at one time.

I would disagree with that. The 9300GS and HD3470 are huge improvements over 8400 G. better battery life and more performance, can't see how thats not better.

 

No, not true. The Dell computers I've purchased over the last 3 or 4 years are all working fine. One went to my wife, another to my son, another to my dad, etc. Plus I've helped friends and family members buy Dell computers (too many to count) and they are all working fine too.

Guess we are all just lucky.

 

I think it also depends a lot on how you use your computer. If you use it mostly at home, build quality is less important than when you take it with you many times.

 

Yep don't expect it to get banged up very much at home. At most you might have some hardware failures. More likely to wear down for people who are taking it places.

 

business laptops get a lot of abuse so it's expected that cheapo Dells will have a lot of repairs, personally I rarely take laptops outside the house and it's fine.

Although, I have old toshiba M400 tablet that's probably 3-4 years old now (has 1.7Ghz CPu, 1GB Ram, 80GB HD), it's a work machine and took a lot of abuse, everything is still working! Amazing!

I also had Sony SZ for 1.5 years and I can't say that build quality was amazing for what you paid. FZ also wasn't so great, it felt kind of flimsy and squeeky, although nothing broke in 6 months, but I did baby it. Keyboard on both felt really cheap, I am glad they finally changed that with FW.

 

LOL i didnt order the vaio FW but the hd 3470 dropped the ball for me i want a 3650 but now im gonna end up getting the ASUS G2SV, or the toshiba qosmio X305 those are my only options currently i like my vaio AR but i might have to let it go now haha anyone interested?