Sony X Series Official Owners Thread

[keisuke_z]

As soon as I get the Z back, I'll take a side-by-side photo. The Z looks huge compared to the X. Actually, my Bluetooth mouse makes the X look tiny! If you're planning to use it for web browsing, Word, Powerpoint, and email, then I'd say this machine is for you. Adobe CS4 even runs at a usable speed (Photoshop loading time is around 13-14 seconds). I'm glad Sony has only made this available with an SSD. Actually, this might be the first laptop that's totally designed around an integrated SSD.

Switching applications is fine memory and CPU-wise, but the redraw of the application on the screen is a bit laggy (a second or so from the minimized state). I assume this is the case with any Atom/GMA 500 netbook, but it's perhaps more pronounced with the higher resolution of this screen.

Does anyone know if this uses the exact same screen as the TT? It looks awfully similar (which is a good thing).

It's GREAT to hear that Photoshop runs... I'm curious - if you had Outlook '07 running, and launched Photoshop and InDesign - does it get bogged down or are you able to switch between applications without having to wait 10-15 seconds at a time? I generally have three apps running, with the occasional Word/Excel, so I'm very curious...

[dimension6]

@dimension

I remember that you said that you had a P as well...could you describe how more big is the X? A picture if you still have the P, would be great.

From your pics, it seems that the footprint of the X is quite big, how the Z seems huge compared to it?

From a footprint standpoint, the X is roughly the width and depth of a regular netbook. It's just extremely thin (many TIMES thinner than the Z!) and lightweight.

@dimension : did your Vaio X came with the dummy plastic SD and MS card in the slots like on the P ? Mine didn't ...

No dummy cards here either. I guess Sony was trying to save weight

It's GREAT to hear that Photoshop runs... I'm curious - if you had Outlook '07 running, and launched Photoshop and InDesign - does it get bogged down or are you able to switch between applications without having to wait 10-15 seconds at a time? I generally have three apps running, with the occasional Word/Excel, so I'm very curious...

Since I have Web Premium, I tried opening Photoshop and Dreamweaver at the same time as Outlook 2010 (technical preview from Microsoft Connect) and Firefox. There was certainly no lag of 10-15 seconds switching from them; only the usual second or two to redraw the window from a minimized state. I think the 2GB of memory and SSD help with application switching. The X won't be fast if you're loading it down with huge graphic files, but it's nice to know that it can perform most tasks decently in CS4.

I am going to have to disagree, Sony could have put both a power saving and a decent powered CPU into the Sony VAIO X and accomplish the same objective (thin and light). But, no Sony had to cut corners, rip-off consumers and put some low-tech Atom processor that is slower than South African Internet Service Providers.

I'm pretty sure that Sony's decision to use the Atom instead of the ULV comes from technical constraints rather than cost constraints. I guess they tried it with a ULV and decided that the reduction in battery life and increase in heat weren't worth it. I myself would have rather had a slightly larger machine with a ULV (the TT is too large), but the Atom is suitable for many people.

One thing I'd like to reiterate is the recommendation to use Windows 7 Basic theme if you're testing this machine out. Aero is almost unusable on the GMA 500.

I noticed Sony is offering this with WiMax (probably the Intel 5150 or 5350 chips). This would be a good upgrade, as they've been ramping up the WiMax infrastructure recently here in Japan. Also, the Intel chips would finally offer access to the 5Ghz wireless A/N band. I'm disappointed that I can't currently connect the X to the 5Ghz radio in my Cisco 1252 AP (I haven't gotten over 1MB\sec with the Atheros chipset currently in the system).

[CLK]

Its out in Canada. Looks to be the base model only. I like how misleading one line is, "17 hrs...not bad for a system just 1.6lbs (standard battery) blah blah blah...LOL"

http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/ser...n100299n100724

If I couldn't get my Z to run W7 flawlessly this was one of my option. But since it did and with some tweaks and some light workload, I can easily get 9-10 hrs on my Z, the X doesn't look as interesting anymore. If only they have a 64bit version, otherwise it feels like a step back.

I can see where this fits in. It is clearly not intended as a primary unit. I cant see it being very functional. Its more like a suit and tie, not worn for function, but it sure looks slick.

[Geeee]

I agree it does look slick, especially the lid and keyboard area. I just don't like the brown base. I can't wait to see it at the SonyStore this weekend. How much smaller are those keys compared to the Z? Or are they the same?

[dimension6]

I agree it does look slick, especially the lid and keyboard area. I just don't like the brown base. I can't wait to see it at the SonyStore this weekend. How much smaller are those keys compared to the Z? Or are they the same?

The keys are definitely smaller than the ones on the Z, and they are more flush.

[missionAvs]

Well I got to play with the X series notebook at the Sony Style store in Millenia Mall in Orlando, Florida. I must say, it was a sick little notebook and I am definitely glad I pre-ordered it. I used a black one with the 2.0ghz processor and the 64 ssd and it preformed well enough for my needs which aren't many in a computer, basically, microsoft office, internet, and itunes. It ran all those functions well imo.

[Nobackup]

There was certainly no lag of 10-15 seconds switching from them; only the usual second or two to redraw the window from a minimized state. I think the 2GB of memory and SSD help with application switching. The X won't be fast if you're loading it down with huge graphic files, but it's nice to know that it can perform most tasks decently in CS4.

Do you have the option enabled to animate windows restore and min ?

if so could you switch it off and report if this causes the screen to instantly redraw... thanks..

computer>properties>Advanced system Settings>Performance>settings>[Animate windows when minimizing and Maximizing]

[dimension6]

Do you have the option enabled to animate windows restore and min ?

if so could you switch it off and report if this causes the screen to instantly redraw... thanks..

computer>properties>Advanced system Settings>Performance>settings>[Animate windows when minimizing and Maximizing]

I forgot about that...it's been awhile since I've had a computer with a slow enough GPU to require switching these things off! Switching windows definitely becomes faster without the (unnecessary) animation, though the actual windows still take a bit of time to redraw. Things like scrolling in Firefox are also sometimes affected by the slow redraw. This doesn't hinder usability much, though.

[andricop]

To the VAIO X owners : which case are you using to carry it ? The leather case is not yet available in France.
Thanks

[Steve78]

To the VAIO X owners : which case are you using to carry it ? The leather case is not yet available in France.
Thanks

I have ordered the VGP-CKX1 leather carrying case directly from Sony Style UK. It will be delivered before the laptop hehe.