VAIO FZ vs VAIO FW (Processors)

So...I just ordered a FZ off Sony since I thought it was a good deal...T7250 (2.0GHz), etc.

But...today I learn a new VAIO FW is coming out with P8400. Is there a significant difference btw the T7250 and the P8400? Im wondering if I should return my FZ which is currently shipping and wiat for the FW? Any tips, is it worth the wait (is there a significant difference inside)? Sorry this is my first computer I'm ordering and I'm new to this.

 

I'm in the same situation as you, mine is a FZ 31S. The thing is, the size in new FW series changes, it's 16.4", and for me that's too large. I also was thinking to stop my order and wait a month or so, because the new vaios are slightly better overall, but the size has definitely force my decision to stick with the FZ.

 

It depends how much you paid. If you are willing to share please post.

Well you ordered a T7250 2.0Ghz. The P8400 is 2,26Ghz and a bit newer. it will use considerably less power. Battery life will be a bit better.

The screen on FW will have 1600*900 resolution, FZ has 1280*800.

 

Specs of the processors:

T7250: 2.0GHz/2MB L2 cache/800MTs bus/65nm architecture
P8400: 2.26GHz/3MB L2 cache/1066MTs bus/45nm architecture

The P8400 will most likely put out a bit less heat, too (smaller arch), so perhaps you'll get a small (5-10%) increase in battery life.

 

T7250 has a TPD of 35 watt
P8400 has a TPD of 25 watt

So yeah it will be cooler and an increase in battery life. How much is hard to predict.

 

I paid $999 (its the one they offer on their site)

Anyone know how much the FW will start at?

 

It will start at around $1100.

This config has been spotted on Circuit city:
VGN FW139EH P8400 2.26G 3GB 250GB DVDRW 16.4-XBRT WVHP GREY $1,135.97

If I was in your position and if it is possible to cancel or return it I would probably do that.

 

Yeah, I am strongly considering that. The mian differences I see are: Screen is larger, processor is faster and better, more RAM (although I can just add my own for a minial fee).

If I do return it it would be the 2nd laptop in a week I have returned. I returned an Inspiron 1525 to get my VAIO FZ xD

 

Well if you can return it without too many costs I don't see a problem in that.

 

If I were you I would stay with the FZ. The FW is too large.

 

I'm pretty sure the best buy I work at has a FW in our lock up.

 

nvm. we dont.

 

a 1.4in diagonal screen size increase doesn't actually increase the size of the laptop itself by that much. it'll still be pretty compact. What it does is change the aspect ratio where you now have true 16:9 = better hd.

the 8000 series processors come with a larger cache, while the 9000 series processors come with 3x the 7000 series cache. the processors on the FW come with Montevina chips which use less energy(25W vs 35W) = more battery life, emit less heat, and larger bus(1066MHz vs 800MHz) .

Also the FW comes with better graphics than the 8400 GT currently available.

if any of this is at all important to you, then i would cancel my order and wait and buy an FW.

 

I agree. The size is definitely not a big deal. A larger screen is better. If you check the leaked pictures of the FW series notebook, it looks rather thin. It probably doesn't weigh much either...

The FW series may come with a better GPU compared to the 8400GT, but it is still insufficient. For a notebook of this size, I expected something better!

 

It's 1 inch longer (35.5 vs 38), you get the 16:9 radio but is certainly larger, if you are gonna move the laptop occasionally as I'm going to, is definitely a deal. And in my case (FZ31S) the graphic card is a bit better (8600gs vs hd3470), and the processor (p8100) is a bit worse (1066MHz vs 800MHz), with that also goes the higher battery usage and the corresponding more heat.

So at the end the specs are similar, the new FW is slightly better, but since I'm questioning the size for me the decision is over, although I love the design and the new series will bring more small improvements, I'm not happy at all.

 

FW-J comes with 1600*900 and a Bluray drive and ATI Radeon HD3650.

VAIO VGN-FW11J 16,4Zoll WXGA++ T8400 2,26GHz 250GB 4096MB WLAN BT ATI Radeon HD3650 256MB BD-Rom/DVD
+-RW/+-R DL/RAM silber VistaHP 1.290,73 EUR

Don't forget that the FZ resolution 1280*800 is quite low for a 15,4".

 

PhilFlow I actually saw that model, but in the other thread you typed 1400€, far from the 1150€ the 31s cost me, I was comparing similar prices, if the final price is 1300 then that's the model to get since the HD3650 is alike to the 8600gt.

I know about the resolution, although mine is 1280 x 1024 (SXGA), it's not the 1600*900, I said the new series are better, just the size chokes with my needs

 

This price was spotted on a german website. The other price was on a dutch website.

14 inch vs. 15 inch in with is really not that much a difference in my opinion. The weight difference is 200 grams. The FW is a bit thinner. You're gonna need to bring a bag anyway.

Well each to his own...

 

posted by dito

as Phil and i mentioned the FW comes with the hd3650. the 3650 is more powerful than the 8600GT so its definitely better than the 8600GS. It is a bit slower than the 8700 GT. Add that to the better screen resolution and you have overall better graphics.

so again if your looking for better graphics the FW is your machine.

 

Be aware though that not all FW models come with HD3650. Check the new model thread for details.

 

True, but for KLee0891 both are improvements over the 8400 GT. Since dito was talking about having a 8600 GS (improvement over 8400 GT) I thought I would compare it to the HD3650 (improvement over HD3570). Sorry if I led to any confusion.

 

it comes in the FZ31S, which is sold in europe, curiously this and the 31Z are the only one with the 8600gs, because the next model above also mounts the 8400gt (FZ38M).

I have just recieved my laptop -FZ31S- one hour ago, I can't back it up now, but man, if I could, I'd wait for the VAIO VGN-FW11J, the resolution and a better graphic card is final key to prevail over the bad size (besides, the processor, less heat...).

How can you recieve a great vaio and still be sad? man... that's me. I should have checked this forums a week before.

btw Phil, I bought it because I'm going next year to study at your country!!

 

Congrats on your new notebook. I did not know you had already bought.

Enjoy the weather in Spain, things are usually different here

 

But different in a good way! I love Amsterdam, it's probably my favourite city.

http://www.matthewh.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-691

http://www.matthewh.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-694

 

hehe, I know, I'll spend the rest of the summer taking good advantage of the sun for the rest of the year xD

I've already been in holland and is a very cool country, so even what spaniards have told me about the weather, it wont be a problem at all

 

looking really goooood

 

The Lenovo T400, which comes with an HD3470, doesn't seem that bad:

"This notebook was outstanding for day to day use, and had enough power to handle most games around the office to kill some time. Half-Life 2 in native resolution (1440x900) kept above 30FPS even in heavy action scenes. Portal was another favorite that worked very well at native resolution, keeping framerates above 40FPS throughout most of the game."

The FW series also comes with the HD3470, so I would expect similar performance.

 

hmm i wondwe which