Read the Sun newspaper this morning and spotted the new Sony VAIO SR-series (VGN-SR12G) starting a price of RM4488 for PCFair. Same as the top end CR-series. Anyone have any information regarding this model?

So far I found out that the processor used is Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 (2.16GHz 3MB L2 45nm 1066MHz FSB). This processor is 25mW TDP compared to the T8300 and also supports Trusted Execution Technology and other on-the-go encryption.

Yeah you can reconsider this one. Somemore it is a Centrino 2 laptop. Should be good.

If I am not mistaken, I saw 2 FW series laptop on display. Their brochures are also showcasing the new SR & FW series. Prices are pretty competitive this time. The best thing of all... all current VAIO models' price are reduced and Sony is throwing a lot of useful and valuable freebies this time. This includes the Sony bluetooth mouse, complimentary USB hubs, keyboard skin protector, briefcase, slipcase, 160GB external 2.5" HDD, 2 years local warranty and 1 year international warranty, up to 4GB of RAM, portable speaker system, etc. These freebies depends on the model you buy though. But for CR series and SZ series confirm you can get all of these.

I brought a friend to buy the SZ while my wife got the CR. The SR is turns out to be an extremely sexy laptop and the price is just amazing. First time such a laptop form factor debuting at RM4488. You all should go take a look. This time consider the best freebies given out for VAIO products.

The FW series have two variants. The higher end version, VGN-FW13 is RM8988 with Blueray drive. The lower end one VGN-FW12 without the Blueray and slightly lower specifications retails for RM4988. The freebies for new models aren't as good as the current or outgoing models. They only offer a free VAIO bag and overseas warranty.

I think the SZ will be a better deal because of the specifications. Anyway the FW series's battery life is a little short. Up to 2.5 hours only.

Guys, the freebies for the top model of CR series seems to be the best offer from Sony this time around. Let me list out the freebies:

1. VAIO (OEM Targus) briefcase laptop bag
2. VAIO slip in case (matching design)
3. VAIO optical mouse (matching color)
4. Western Digital MyPassport 160GB 2.5" External HDD
5. Microsoft Office 2007 Home & Student Edition (valid for 3 PCs)
6. CyberClean cleaning gell
7. VAIO USB hub
8. Wireless FM Transmitter
9. Edifier Mini Notebook Speakers
10. 2 years local warranty
11. 1 year international warranty
12. Free upgrade to 2GB RAM
13. Silicon keyboard cover/protector

Also, they upgraded the specifications for the CPU and HDD! Also the price has been reduced too!

The SZ also has similar freebies except for the mouse given is a VAIO bluetooth mouse. Quick grab your VAIO by tomorrow's finale!

Yes, they will not increase the price based on the trend me and my wife established after 2 rounds of PC Fair excluding this one. After the reduction, they will maintain the new price point after the PC Fair and slowly EOL the series. Then they will introduce a new model probably CR with montevina and back to the new price point. However, I am sure that the list of freebies will be so comprehensive after the PC Fair. Granted they will still give out VAIO products but external HDD and the Office 2007 is one of the few things that is a PC Fair ONLY freeebies.

Question 1
The valid for 3 PCs simply mean license for legal use on up to 3 separate PCs. You should be able to install multiple times provided it is on the same PC and up to 3 PCs only. The Active Registration policy simply means the registration process must take place in Malaysia. If internet registration is required, it must happen on a Malaysian IP address. This special offer is only restricted to Malaysian users who bought laptops or any products meant to be sold in Malaysia. After installation and registration, you can technically take your laptop or use Microsoft Office 2007 anywhere as long as you're not re-installing and be required to activate again.

Question 2
The Norton Internet Security 2008 is not installed yet. Only the installer is provided and it gives the user a choice to install it or just leave it. As long as you have not installed it, you should be able to run your choice of security software without any problems. If you did install it, then it is recommended to have only one of them. Take note on the Norton's terms and condition: whether you're given one year of license or a limited time only.

Question 3
I notice this also when I unpacked the WD 160GB external HDD. There is not warranty information or card in the blister package. However, most HDD warranty period is tracked through the manufacturer website by identifying the product number and serial number. I suggest you cross check this information with WD. You should be able to find the warranty period granted. Use that as a proof. Warranty RMA with WD typically do not require proof of purchase somemore this item is a freebie and has 'Not for resale' stamped on it.

Question 4
VAIO's mouse should have its warranty on the blister package inlay. I am not sure about this though. Perhaps you should call up Sony Style?

This post has been edited by davidmak: Aug 4 2008, 03:55 PM

Lets talk about taxation? Hehehe... I wonder if it applies.

The charger says 19.5V and 4.7A on a DC rail.

Yeah I notice that too. I prefer Sony's LED backlit LCD technology. The blacks are just superb and the colors are very fruity. This is especially true for the SZ and TZ series. The SR however looks slightly toned down. Anyway CR's LCD ain't that bad although I was never satisfied when I first saw it at Sony Style.

Was told that the recovery data is already prepared on the hard disk. All you need is to burn it out to a disc. I have yet to confirm this though, but it should be provided. Either as a burn it yourself or prepared in a hidden partition.

Q1 -- Yeah mine has that too, "Licensed for Noncommercial Use". So this is strictly for home and education use. However, I doubt they could tell from which 'version' your document is created in the distribution stage. So I would not worry on that. Just don't get caught This version Office 2007 does not worth RM499 anymore as the new price is RM199 from now on. So its better than nothing. Since you brought this up, I need to warn my friend to activate it here before he goes back to Europe. I wonder if making a phone call to Microsoft would help during the activation process in a non-Malaysian location.

Q2 -- This is just a rough guess. I do not know if this is a 1 year license or what, thats why I am asking. I got this idea because Dell used to put these kind of installers on their new notebooks, some are pre-installed but only with a 3 month trial period.

Q3 -- As long as you're doing a private sale or transfer of ownership within closed doors, you're ok. One item is kinda ok. If you're doing this on a larger level, then it is advisable not to proceed. Its an offense.

Yes it is impossible to lie because on a default convention, they will fall back to the manufacturing date or any date preset to the product during retail. So there could be a span of 1-3 months before the laptop ends up on your hand. When you buy a VAIO product, the retailer will have the information as to when the product was bought. So that information is already there. Proof of purchase will only help you establish a more accurate date should the warranty period is not accurate on Sony's retail system.

I know about this because I had problems with my Canon L lens at some point in ownership. The L lens was manufactured 1 year ago and was in retail for many months. Not that it is an old product or whatsoever. These lens generally don't sell as fast as cameras. So when it came to servicing, they had problem establishing my warranty period. This is when the proof of purchase comes in handy.

Hope this helps.

This post has been edited by davidmak: Aug 5 2008, 08:02 AM

The isolated keyboard isn't anything new to Sony. It started with SZ, TZ and then CR. They're all spaced/isolated keys. Typing on it needs some getting used to though. Need to spread your fingers wide. Not sure if this is an ergonomic standpoint or to slow down your typing and reduce error rates. But its definitely a cosmetic plus point. Looks different.

Apple may have started it first, but it is impossible to patent this. So I guess its open for the industry to implement.

Ooh sorry, the SZ don't have isolated keys. The keys are next to each other but there are bumps over it which made it look like a spaced key. The TZ however does have this.

Ooh really nice finding. There goes the nail. No more conspiracy.

Yeah they have been very successful in this area considering they fail so badly in the PDA market many years ago, the CLIE. Its good that Sony is coming down to the entry level market and offer their NR laptops at a low price. When VAIO came to the market, they went into the premium sector which put itself out of many consumer's league.

Just for the SZ series. C2D T9xxx processor at 2.50GHz. In the PC Fair they upgrade the total RAM to 4GB which is a great bonus. I think this setup should be more than enough for your tasks.

The FW-series have been debut since last weekend.

Yes of course. The T8100 is running at 2.1GHz, not far away from the 2.5GHz and more power efficient as well as less heat dissipation too. Anyway what you need is mobility and light weight. You don't really need a powerful graphics because most simulation and rendering require processor raw power. Unless your simulation programs require graphical processing.

I still think the SZ series is a good choice because of the balance in performance and power efficiency. Kinda like having the best of both worlds. The hybrid thing is good.

Maybe you can adjust the sensitivity?

Yes it is already selling. I went to their Sony Style shop and it was on display. Very neat product.

My wife got her VAIO CR353 too and the same color as yours. LCD screen quality is better than expected. Of course, its not even near the beauty of LED backlit screens of some VAIOs. Speed is good but there's a lot of disk thrashing every time during startup. The red glossy paint looks marvelous although the whole unit is a little heavy and the battery not capacious enough.