topic Re: The new A Series Notebook..................... in PCs & Accessories

The new A Series Notebook.....................

JoeB. — Sat, 10 Jul 2004 11:21:42 GMT

To all of those new A Series owners... please post any information about the new notebooks.

has keyboard material improved
how is the chasis build.....
what is the actual battery time
etc. etc.

thanks for any info

Joe

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

MPMC — Sun, 11 Jul 2004 13:40:25 GMT

I have had my A series since the end of may. I must say that all things considered it is by far the best lap top I have used.

The build quality is much improved from the old systems, although the DVD drive opens when you try to move the system (very annoying). The keyboard like most laptops is of pretty poor quality, but I do not consider this to be a major problem.

The battery life is about 5 hours!!!!!! (while mainly using photo editing) I was expecting about 2-3 which is what you get when viewing DVD's. I was very shocked the first time I tried this. The system was set for best battery life except for the screen which was set quite bright.

The biggest plus is the screen, I was sceptical about the shiny screen since it obviously is more reflective than the traditional matt surface, but this is easily forgotten with the much more vibrant colours and DVD performance. If only they could make the same quality screen with the matt surface.

The major problem is the fan. When I first got the machine it was totally silent. Now the fan works from the moment I press the power button. It is kind of annoying especially with the minimal advice from vaio link on how to solve the problem.

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

pdimenza — Mon, 12 Jul 2004 10:34:01 GMT

Hi I have the Vaio A197VP and it's a blast!

The quality of contruction is quite good, it has a graphite/magnesium finish body, however, it's just the look, cause to the touch is plain old plastic.

I don't have problems with the DVD when moving the system, but I have some when writing DVDs and CDs. It doesn't work with Ahead Nero and even with the bundled software takes 9 cds to burn 6 (3 fail to burn).

My last notebook was a Pentium III so the batery now seems infinite (not 5 hours but 3,5 using mostly developing tools).

The high point of this notebook is, no questions about it, the TFT. You get use to work at 1900x1200 pretty fast and the clearness of the screen is outstanding. :smileygrin:

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

kee-lo_ — Mon, 12 Jul 2004 12:41:13 GMT

Thanks for the feedback guys, much appriciated.

Considering getting one some time next year.

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

JoeB. — Mon, 12 Jul 2004 20:26:31 GMT

hi,

did anybody do a benchmark of any kind yet on the A-series???

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

Crusty — Wed, 14 Jul 2004 19:21:48 GMT

I got the Vaio VGN-A115B for about two weaks now. I only miss the bluetooth in my laptop, but i will come over that :P.

Furthur on i have no really complaint. A friend of mine ( dell user) is very jalous on my screen. I can't blame him. It's very very nice :D. I still don't understand all the mess about the keyboard. It will be a private opniong but i think the vaio keyboard types much better than a other kind of keyboard. A lot of people complain about mine, but i found it better typing than a Asus, Dell or a other brand. The burner works perfect. So does the wireless. And the battery last about 4 hours i think. Including on and off switching. So the battery is very fine.

Till now i found this a wordy follower of my first FX-701

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

JoeB. — Wed, 14 Jul 2004 19:39:10 GMT

hi crusty,

the problem with the keyboard is after you use it for a while it looks like you had some very greasy french-fries while typing a letter.
it nother words the material slicks out very very fast... dell keyboards don't do this that fast.

the TFT is the best on the market

Joe

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

kee-lo_ — Wed, 14 Jul 2004 20:02:14 GMT

Yeah they go shiny
The TFTs are amazing though

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

Crusty — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 10:01:19 GMT

Yeahh i agree on the keyboard. My Fx had the same, but i didn't really matter, I still find it a better typin keyboard than a Acer or Asus.

And yeahh the TFT is very !!.
Gonna test it this weak on battery lastings. I think it will go about 3 hours playing full screen dvd.

PS the intel wireless is much better than my old USB wifi

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

OldHolborn — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 16:04:31 GMT

I've just taken delivery of my a197xp. What a beast!

In the box was a wireless mouse, that doesn't seem to connect. Any hints?

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

JoeB. — Fri, 16 Jul 2004 15:03:52 GMT

what does the weight feel like on the 17" version... is it real heavy or is it still in a bearable range...???

joe

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

OldHolborn — Sat, 17 Jul 2004 17:41:53 GMT

They should have put a carrying handle on it.

I'll need a new laptop bag, or a supermarket trolley.

But I don't care. It's gorgeous.

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

pdimenza — Mon, 19 Jul 2004 11:50:23 GMT

It's not as heavy as it looks, about 3.8 kg. Compared with the Toshiba P4 3.0ghz 17'' it's quite lighter. However, the size is a problem, I had a backpack I used with my former notebook and the Vaio almost doesn't fit!! I have to skeeze it inside to tranport it, but it is worth it.

Now there is a new Vaio model (series S) with this x-black type screen with 12'' and widescreen centrino weighting 2kg and 1280x800 resolution, that's a 'portable' computer. I saw it last saturday in FNAC....nice....:smileygrin:

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

kee-lo_ — Mon, 19 Jul 2004 12:28:15 GMT

Hmmmmm so tempted.................

* Kee-Lo has to hide his card

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

JoeB. — Mon, 19 Jul 2004 21:19:12 GMT

On the A-series they call the screen x-black.... is it the same as the
onyx-balck screens... is there a noticable difference...

is the optical drive still removable or is it build in solid???

joe

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

grahambird80 — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 00:37:52 GMT

The biggest plus is the screen, I was sceptical about the shiny screen since it obviously is more reflective than the traditional matt surface, but this is easily forgotten with the much more vibrant colours and DVD performance. If only they could make the same quality screen with the matt surface.

The way they make the screen so bright is by takeing a standard screen and laminating it with a reflective serface that bounces the light back to the pixel and the out to you, this increases the brightness of the screen with out using to much more power, but the down side is that you get a mirror to look at. I am sure that Sony's R&D will find a way round this. But at leats some one cant sneak up behind you.

On the A-series they call the screen x-black.... is it the same as the onyx-balck screens... is there a noticable difference...

As far as i am aware the only differance is the name of the screen. Thats what we think a work they have just changed the name? Or the X-Black is the widscreen version on the Onyx, maybe (that just came to me)

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

Nifty — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 02:29:44 GMT

Dammit where did i put 3d mark? Plz dont make me download it again!

I have the VGN-A117S, i cant compare it to any other sony as i have never owned one before. But i can say it is the best laptop i have ever used. Most noticable is the huge battery life, i can leave this thing rendering pictures (using processor 100%) for 2 hours or more. When surfing i get 3 hours, when word processing i get up to 4 and then it dies. Havent really optimised it that much though.

The graphics package on this model is very nice, ATI 9700. Can run all current games at 1024x768 very comfortably, some games i like to play at 1920x1200 just for the widescreen effect!

As a system its reasonably stable, although i am having trouble with graphical artifacts due to overheating when playing for more then 5 hours (so sad). The cooling system in my opinion is the biggest design flaw, SONY have situated air vents on the underneath of the laptop, meaning that memory and GPU overheat if used on the lap. On the desk, it is supported by little legs which allow air to circulate, so on the train i have to get a table seat!

The touchpad is functional although i never use it, i wish it had an LCD overlay like my old Toshiba but never mind.

All in all a very good system for all round use, performs very well in most conditions, let down by poor cooling system.

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

pdimenza — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 09:53:18 GMT

I would like to run some 3D tests on my A-series notebook, anyone knows where I can get the needed software? and those 3D demos?

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

grahambird80 — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 10:20:42 GMT

If you go to futuremark.com there are links to download 3D Mark 01 which test Direct X 8, 3D Mark 03 Tests Direct X 9, and PC Mark 03 runs a general system test.

Also aquamark.com is another Direct X 9 3D benchmark package.

Re: The new A Series Notebook.....................

grahambird80 — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 10:23:14 GMT

Oh yea could you post your results on the thread titled Laptop 3D BenchMarks

here is the link

http://www.club-vaio.sony-europe.com/clubvaio/mvnforum/viewthread?thread=6035