Sony SA Series Discussion Sony's next new 13.3 laptop

[fscussel]

Originally Posted by coldmack

So, then the SB is just a lower spec SA? I hope we get the SB, or at least its lower priced specs here in North America. I'd probably upgrade to that if the battery life can come close to my TT(6.5 or so hours) with a screen quality better than the S(matte or anti-glare would really seal it).

SB weights way more than SA.

[coldmack]

What is the weight on it vs the SA and the Z? Will it look like the SA, S, or totally different because those don't show any pics.

[Rachel]

This division really reminds me of the SZ series with the premium and more consumer models.
The weight of the SB is still light at 1.69kg 3.718lbs V 3.2. Remove that 2.5HD and put in a USATA probably like the SA and the weight might be around 3.4lbs. May be the SB doesn't have carbon fibre as well.

The SA seems to comes default with RAID drives so no question performance is superior in everyway to the Z.

[Deltido]

Looking at these benchmarks on PC Mark It seems the dual core's have finally become more powerful than the quad cores of a previous gen.

i5-2410M @ 2.30GHz 3028
vs
Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.40GHz 2976

Amazing...

[coldmack]

Maybe in tasks that only take advantage of either the single or dual core. But, I bet in a test/application that can take advantage of all 4 cores, the older core 2 quad will do a good job holding its own.

[vaio.phil]

Originally Posted by Deltido

Looking at these benchmarks on PC Mark It seems the dual core's have finally become more powerful than the quad cores of a previous gen.

i5-2410M @ 2.30GHz 3028
vs
Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.40GHz 2976

Amazing...

^ yeah!! and it's mobile!!

[fscussel]

Originally Posted by Deltido

Looking at these benchmarks on PC Mark It seems the dual core's have finally become more powerful than the quad cores of a previous gen.

i5-2410M @ 2.30GHz 3028
vs
Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.40GHz 2976

Amazing...

Originally Posted by vaio.phil

^ yeah!! and it's mobile!!

what do you guys say between the i7 and i5, is i7 worth it?

[vaio.phil]

hmm.... if your software/application badly needs (not kinda need, maybe need or nice to have) the i7 power then go for it. Otherwise just buy the less expensive i5 and change to newer laptops/computers more often bye.

[tinderey]

First off, thanks for all the info you're posting!

I have a question though, will the SA feature WiDi or HDWI or any kind of wireless hdmi solution? I think I read that all sandy bridge will support it, but is it up to the manufacturers to implement it in their models?

With that feature i'd be in love with this laptop. Thanks in advance

[adamj023]

Originally Posted by tinderey

First off, thanks for all the info you're posting!

I have a question though, will the SA feature WiDi or HDWI or any kind of wireless hdmi solution? I think I read that all sandy bridge will support it, but is it up to the manufacturers to implement it in their models?

With that feature i'd be in love with this laptop. Thanks in advance

So it looks like it will be SA and SB. i5 and i7 options and SSDs to boot.

Nice.

Depends on the price differentials between the models and the CPU speed offerings that come out. Very interested in reviews on the display of the unit. Seems like they upped the resolution to 1600x900 which is very nice with a premium display on the higher end model.

VPC-SA1X9E/XI Intel Core i7-2620M Processor, Windows 7 Professional 64bit, 4GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory, 128GB Dual SSD (RAID 0), 13.3″ WXGA++ (1600×900) VAIO Display Plus, AMD Radeon HD 6630M + Intel HD Graphics 1GB, DVD SuperMulti Drive, HDMI, 802.11a/b/g/n £1,570.97

SA is the one to get with the i7 because of the premium VAIO Display Plus @ 1600x900 which isn't offered on the lower end model. Hopefully the display quality of this is very nice.

"On selected entertainment notebooks, VAIO Display Plus adds anti-reflection and wider viewing angles to your viewing pleasure.

On professional-level VAIO notebooks, VAIO Display Premium adds extreme brightness and high colour saturation."

Wish it had both display plus and premium. Will have to see how the reviews are on the different models but knowing Sony the higher end VAIO notebook will probably look really sharp. The dual raid model with the premium display if it looks well isn't bad at all. Pricewise its 2149.24 dollars. A premium notebook with all the frills for a premium price but it only includes 2 128 SSD's which is small and only 4GB memory for that price.

I have to see how the models come configured since I can build the SSD raid on my own but the SSD RAID 0 concept is ideal for performance and Sony has met the challenges here.

Awaiting specifications of models I can order. I was trying to hold out longer but I may go with the notebook with discrete video if it has switchable graphics on the AMD.

Glad to see the SSD Raid, backlit keyboard and the 1600x900 display which is very nice indeed. Looks like a really nice notebook on first glance extremely well configured to my liking.