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    Sony VAIO FW and VAIO SR Details Emerge

    Discussion in 'Notebook News and Reviews' started by Andrew Baxter, Jul 7, 2008.

  1. Andrew Baxter

    Andrew Baxter -

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    More details are emerging on the VAIO FW and VAIO SR laptops thanks to some leaks of German language spec sheets. Thankfully specs look sort of the same no matter what the language, so we can tell what will be inside these new laptops.

    Sony VAIO SR

    The VAIO SR is a 13.3" widescreen notebook that will replace the current VAIO SZ model. The European release of the VAIO SR will include two models initially. The VAIO VGN-SR19XN and the VAIO VGN-SR19VN. The full specs for each are below. The SR19VN model will include ATI graphics in the form of the HD3470 while the SR19XN offers Intel integrated graphics. The SR19VN will also sport 4GB of memory on board and a 200GB 7200RPM hard drive. Both models will come equipped with the Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 2.26GHz processor and weigh around 4.2lbs. Quite a bit of power in a small package, as we're accustomed to with the VAIO SZ.

    [​IMG]
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    [​IMG]
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    SONY VAIO FW

    The VAIO FW is quite obviously built to be a fantastic multimedia machine since many configurations offer Blu-Ray, a 1600 x 900 viewing format on a large 16.4" screen, a great HD video card in the form of the ATI 3650 or slightly less powerful ATI 3470, and an HDMI port to output that HD video to a larger screen if you need. The same Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 is being used in the VAIO FW as the VAIO SW. Below you can see all of the specs for the initial European-based models of the VAIO FW that will hit the market in the next month or two:

    [​IMG]
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    Sony VAIO FW11L

    [​IMG]
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    Sony FW11S

    [​IMG]
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    Sony FW11E

    [​IMG]
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    Sony VAIO FW11J

    [​IMG]
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    Update (7/8/2008)

    One thing we missed in the documents and was pointed out by forum member CeeNote is that availability dates are mentioned. The sr18xn, the sr18vn, the fw11zu and the fw11s will be available in calendar week 30 (end of July)

    The fw11 will be available in calendar week 32 (mid August) and the fw11e and the fw11j will be available in calendar week 35 (September).

     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 12, 2015
    Andrew Baxter, Jul 7, 2008
    #1
  2. dietcokefiend

    dietcokefiend DietGreenTeaFiend

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    Interesting that they seemed to have shifted from NVIDIA graphics options on the previous generation to ATI graphics now.
     
    dietcokefiend, Jul 7, 2008
    #2
  3. yuio

    yuio NBR Assistive Tec. Tec.

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    there are alot of companies that are switching to ati in a very short while. notice all the Dell studio's? Ati
     
    yuio, Jul 7, 2008
    #3
  4. vshade

    vshade Notebook Evangelist

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    It is great to see the ATI back to mobile. It is great for us to have competition.
     
    vshade, Jul 7, 2008
    #4
  5. dietcokefiend

    dietcokefiend DietGreenTeaFiend

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    Now if only Lenovo would bring back a 15" Flexview/IPS screen option :(
     
    dietcokefiend, Jul 7, 2008
    #5
  6. Ch28Kid

    Ch28Kid Notebook Deity

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    Does it still have 2 graphics card? Intel and ATI

    I can't read those writing on the screen shot.

    TZ keyboard and 7200 as standard.... finally something good from Sony
     
    Ch28Kid, Jul 7, 2008
    #6
  7. Nihilas

    Nihilas Notebook Enthusiast

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    Can anyone tell me why everybody is starting to use ATI instead of nvidia? Are they much cheaper since nvidia still holds the best graphic cards for budget and advanced computer eg 9600 gt - 9800 gtx
     
    Nihilas, Jul 7, 2008
    #7
  8. link1313

    link1313 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Cheaper probably.

    But the ati cards are built on a smaller manufacturing process, support DX10.1, and perform competitively (HD3650 = 9600GT).
     
    link1313, Jul 7, 2008
    #8
  9. Aleman

    Aleman Notebook Evangelist

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    How does the HD 3470 perform compared to the 8400m GS it replaces? How does it compare to a 8600 GT or HD 3650?
     
    Aleman, Jul 7, 2008
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  10. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Phil, Jul 7, 2008
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  11. Yokozuna

    Yokozuna Notebook Guru

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    According to this article, the recently disclosed problem of failing Nvidia mobile chips could be just the tip of the iceberg, not just limited to the 8500M chips that Nvidia has identified as the problem:

    http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/07/07/nvidia-meltdown-blame-game
     
    Yokozuna, Jul 7, 2008
    #11
  12. floe

    floe Notebook Guru

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    From what I've read the new ATI graphics kick the crap out of everything that intel has in the same market. The results are a bit questionable but notebookcheck found the HD3470 to have a 3dmark'06 score of 1933pts compared to 950pts for the X4500HD. For reference, the HD3470 performed better than the 8400M GS in both 3dmark'05 and '06.

    In case you haven't been following, the 3470 and the X4500 are the two chips found in the two different versions of the new SR series. It seems like the 3470 is a really good buy, price depending.
     
    floe, Jul 7, 2008
    #12
  13. Keeperian

    Keeperian Notebook Geek

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    Why does not the new Sony laptops only support 4GB of memory?
    The new platform is suppose to handle up to 8GB?
     
    Keeperian, Jul 7, 2008
    #13
  14. Jayayess1190

    Jayayess1190 Waiting on Intel Cannonlake

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    No the SR doesn't. The SR doesn't actually replace the SZ, it replaces the CR. The Z, which no one has seen photos of yet, will replace the SZ and it has the switchable graphics
     
    Jayayess1190, Jul 7, 2008
    #14
  15. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Cheaper SR models come with integrated Intel X4500 graphics, the top model comes with ATI HD3470 GPU with 128 MB

    It does not replace CR. CR will stay in the product line. This was confirmed by our contact.
     
    Phil, Jul 7, 2008
    #15
  16. kalakaua

    kalakaua Newbie

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    Hi everybody!
    I'm looking around for a notbook for a while already and I actually hope the specs of the SR and the comment "it would replace the SZ series" appear disappointing. No BlueRay, no HDMI?
    I'm actually wondering whether cache or FSB is more important.
    So if anybody could help me answering this, i'll be one beg step closer towards my new laptop. So either 6MB cache with 800Mhz or 3MB cache with 1066Mhz cache?

    I was reading about somebody actually speaking my mind. A SZ with integrated Blue-Ray, do you think this is realistic in the near future?

    BTW, for all of you who are not so close with the German language.. at the Bottom of the screenshots is something intereting mentioned. "KW 30" etc.. means "Calender Week 30". Thus we'll hopfully be able to check these new releases pretty soon.

    so concerning my SZ waiting, I'd be glad for your thoughts....

    aloha
     
    kalakaua, Jul 7, 2008
    #16
  17. Han Bao Quan

    Han Bao Quan The Assassin

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    16:9??? WTH???
    Aside from that, looking good, now I can assume that the price will be quite high.
     
    Han Bao Quan, Jul 7, 2008
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  18. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Well that 'comment' is not completely true.

    The Z series replace the premium SZ models. Z series will come with Bluray and HDMI options.

    You can find more info here: Link.
     
    Phil, Jul 7, 2008
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  19. bunkhouse

    bunkhouse Notebook Enthusiast

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    No DDR3 sony?
     
    bunkhouse, Jul 7, 2008
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  20. kalakaua

    kalakaua Newbie

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    that looks really nice!
    dankje well Philflow! groetjes uit 's-Gravenhage :D
     
    kalakaua, Jul 7, 2008
    #20
  21. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Welkom op het forum. Leuke foto trouwens ;)
     
    Phil, Jul 7, 2008
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  22. Mr. B

    Mr. B Notebook Consultant

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    It's a bit early for Sony to be reusing the SR designation for a notebook series IMO. Sony had SR and SRX laptops circa 2000 and 2003 respectively.
     
    Mr. B, Jul 7, 2008
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  23. bigbulus

    bigbulus Notebook Consultant

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    Are these FW and SR using Intel Montevina? Anyone knows if SONY will release 14.1" or 15.4"? SR 13.3 is too small for me, but FW 16", I never tried, but I would assume it's somewhat too big.
     
    bigbulus, Jul 7, 2008
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  24. floe

    floe Notebook Guru

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    The german spec sheets say that the chipset is centrino 2. Ergo, yes they are montevina.
     
    floe, Jul 7, 2008
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  25. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Sony will release a 15,4" BZ series. It will be available in Europe, not in US.

    Sony already has CR series with 14,1" screen. Montevina update for CR is expected fall/winter.
     
    Phil, Jul 7, 2008
    #25
  26. Bardia

    Bardia Notebook Enthusiast

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    Not anymore. The HD4850/HD4870 makes everything Nvidia has look quaint and/or overpriced.

    The HD4850 is barely more expensive than the 9600GT and will run circles around it. Two HD4850's will mop the floor with a 9800 GTX X2 for $150 less.

    ATI is back with a vengeance. I say good for them, AMD needed a lift.
     
    Bardia, Jul 7, 2008
    #26
  27. vshade

    vshade Notebook Evangelist

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    The 4850 took the 8800gt price and forced nvidia to bring the 9800gtx down to $199, the 4870 performs on par with the gtx260 and forced nvidia to slash the prices of the newly released gt200 cards
     
    vshade, Jul 7, 2008
    #27
  28. ltcommander_data

    ltcommander_data Notebook Deity

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    The performance of the HD 4k series is phenomenal, but really has little relevance to the current mobile market since they aren't available here yet and the product line isn't complete either with only the 4800 series out for desktop. Performance-wise, I don't believe the Mobility HD 3k series outperforms it's equivalent nVidia competitors.

    And the fact that ATI is being placed in so many notebooks shouldn't be surprising now since they gloated about their large number of design wins for the Mobility HD 3k generation months ago. This was probably before the knowledge of nVidia's current problems with their GPU packaging was widely known. So the reason for ATI's design wins are likely their quicker transition to the 55nm process allowing for lower prices and better thermal profiles.
     
    ltcommander_data, Jul 7, 2008
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  29. DTX

    DTX Notebook Evangelist

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    The only line in the article that caught my attention. Say it isnt so!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 12, 2015
    DTX, Jul 7, 2008
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  30. TetonWolf

    TetonWolf Notebook Evangelist

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    Actually, it may not be so. The Z series might be more an SZ-carbon-fiber replacement and the SR series an SZ-magnesium replacement. We'll have to wait and see...only 1 week to go. :)
     
    TetonWolf, Jul 7, 2008
    #30
  31. boypogi

    boypogi Man Beast

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    another over hyped and expensive laptops :D
     
    boypogi, Jul 8, 2008
    #31
  32. LoL74

    LoL74 Newbie

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    Anyone know the release dates for these laptops?

    edit: never mind, I just reread the article.
     
    LoL74, Jul 8, 2008
    #32
  33. Woodgypsy

    Woodgypsy Notebook Evangelist

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    That new FW is sure good looking (and I rarely says this to a laptop). Dang, i wonder if I can convince Sony to replace my year-old FZ to FW. :p
     
    Woodgypsy, Jul 9, 2008
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  34. steveyd

    steveyd Newbie

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    Range being announced in Berlin on 15th July. Available to buy from 17th July
     
    steveyd, Jul 14, 2008
    #34
  35. steveyd

    steveyd Newbie

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    Go to Sony uk site and you can see launch streamed at 15:00 on 15th July
     
    steveyd, Jul 14, 2008
    #35
  36. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Tonight at Sonystyle.com
     
    Phil, Jul 14, 2008
    #36