Sony VAIO SE Now Available Discussion

[Photo Dave]

I have been looking for several months for a notebook for photo editing and have found most have really bad screens due to viewing angles and color/contrast issues. I saw the Vaio SE at Fry's yesterday and have to say the screen is stunning in viewing angles and appears to have great color/contrast/black values. I'll probably get one but will wait to see what notebookcheck.net has to say about it. I've also seen the Samsung 7 Chronos and the Sony SE has it beat hands down. The panel on the 7 also has unacceptable flex, to the point that the cover will bow inward.

[Sadiki]

If you think the screen is stunning in person then why are you waiting to see what notebookcheck says about it? Your oubjective opinion of the screen is much more important than tests isn't it?

[Mitlov]

If you think the screen is stunning in person then why are you waiting to see what notebookcheck says about it? Your oubjective opinion of the screen is much more important than tests isn't it?

This.

Also, unless Photo Dave really needs portability, he should check out the Vaio F (2D). Same price as the SE, heavier and shorter battery life, but the screen is another step up: from "great" to "unbelievable." (Also good sound and better performance, but it doesn't sound like that'd matter as much to Photo Dave).

[Photo Dave]

My brief view of the SE wouldn't compare to a color space/black value etc. professional review. I purchased a Dell 17R in April and promptly returned it after realizing I didn't do my home work. The SE appears to me to have a screen very similar to the VAIO F 3D screen in viewing angles and the other aspects. And yes, I'm looking for portability, and after looking at the VAIO F 2D I really didn't like the construction and design of it.

[treeco13]

The fact that it doesn't support SATA-3 disappoints me though...

[stcv3]

The screen looks great in terms of contrast, brightness and viewing angles but I think it's bad in colour reproduction. I put a red wallpaper on screen and it was more like orange. Even the 13" VAIO SB has better looking reds.
that probably means it's not really suitable for photo editing.

[Mitlov]

The screen looks great in terms of contrast, brightness and viewing angles but I think it's bad in colour reproduction. I put a red wallpaper on screen and it was more like orange. Even the 13" VAIO SB has better looking reds.
that probably means it's not really suitable for photo editing.

What color mode were you in? Go to Vaio Control Center and you have a choice between "do not apply color mode," "standard," "TV," "DVD," or "x.v.Color". The difference between "do not apply color mode" and any of the others is striking, and the differences between the other modes is noticeable. I think "do not apply color mode" would be the most accurate for photo editing, even though I don't think it's the "prettiest" for day-to-day use. And it doesn't ship in "do not apply color mode" mode, so you may not have had a chance to check it out in that mode.

[huntnyc]

Mitlov,
Thanks for that possible solution regarding color inaccuracy fix. I am seriously thinking about purchasing two of these laptops for me and my wife but wish someone who has the SE would confirm if this helps with the orange-like reds. Thanks again.

Gary

[stcv3]

Mitlov,
I actually checked 2 samples of the SE in the Sony store and was that close to buying one but I read about the colour inaccuracy and decided to see if that's true before buying. I will try again with the vaio control centre. hopefully the problem gets fixed because it's the only thing stopping me from buying the SE.

[moralar]

What color mode were you in? Go to Vaio Control Center and you have a choice between "do not apply color mode," "standard," "TV," "DVD," or "x.v.Color". The difference between "do not apply color mode" and any of the others is striking, and the differences between the other modes is noticeable. I think "do not apply color mode" would be the most accurate for photo editing, even though I don't think it's the "prettiest" for day-to-day use. And it doesn't ship in "do not apply color mode" mode, so you may not have had a chance to check it out in that mode.

I don't think this information applies to the SE; at least, I can't find these settings in the Vaio Control Center. The only "fix" I can find is to desaturate the reds by about -25 or so in the Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel; however, this makes all images look rather ashen, so I don't think it's an acceptable solution.