New 15" MacBook Pro 2.2 Vs. Maxed out Sony Z13? Help Please!!!

This is not a trolling or Sony Vs. Apple thread.



I have a chance to get either one of these at the same price. I have just received my insurance check for my stolen Z and I have been looking into a replacement computer. I am not going to wait for the new Z as I don't like the add on approach. Also, the SA is still MIA, so this is a no go as well.



For the most part, I loved my Z. The trackpad and battery life were ok, but this is one huge selling factor for the Mac. Also, OSX is a plus to have on the MBP, but I have no problems with Win 7 either.



The main negative is the size of the MBP Vs the Z. I do like the power brick better than Sony's as well, so this is a reduction in total daily weight. I would be interested in the HiRes Anti Glare as I have been spoiled by my Z. They can keep that glass crap.



Anyways... here's the main rub. The MBP kills the Z spec wise. Although, I would e getting a 512 SSD in the Z Vs a 7200 RPM drive in the MBP. I am affraid the Z will be worth nothing in 6 months, however I just went to local computer stores and still absolutely NOTHING still touches it.



What do you think a Maxed out Z will be with in a years time? This is another thing I loved about past Apple products. Their resale value has been very strong.



I use my laptop for business, showing homes and out in the field. The Z was perfect size for that and watching movies on the plane worked perfect because of it's size.



I also like to play games, Black Ops, Crysis 2, SFIV and others. With the Bios mod and new drivers, the Z could handle it well. Although, the MBP would be much better. I'm not sure what the difference between the 330m and 6750 is, but I would guess pretty large.



I am a screen snob. Plain and simple. The SB will not work for me.



Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I will be ordering a replacement something tomorrow.



Thanks in advance!

Reply 1 : New 15" MacBook Pro 2.2 Vs. Maxed out Sony Z13? Help Please!!!

Replying to you on a 13" MBP...



Screen on Z shreds (resolution and color, not to mention glare) the screen on the MBP. Issue is you are comparing a 15" vs a 13" so the 15" MBP is available with better specs than the Z.



OSX vs. windows, you know what you are getting into there so no need to comment. Pros and cons both ways.



Couple bits of advice.



1.) find out how good windows games run on the MBP's. In the past, they did not perform anywhere near as well as their windows-designed counterparts.



2.) If you don't mind the 15" for factor, why not look around for a 15" windows pc that competes with the MBP specs? HP envy 14.5" comes to mind, I think I read somewhere they were bringing back the radiance displays as well.



Good luck!

Reply 2 : New 15" MacBook Pro 2.2 Vs. Maxed out Sony Z13? Help Please!!!

Mind if I ask what is the config of the VAIO Z you're talking about when you said that it is maxed out? I'm just curious.



By the way, my suggestion is to get a new maxed out VAIO Z notebook. Good luck.

Reply 3 : New 15" MacBook Pro 2.2 Vs. Maxed out Sony Z13? Help Please!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPEEDwithJJ Mind if I ask what is the config of the VAIO Z you're talking about when you said that it is maxed out? I'm just curious. By the way, my suggestion is to get a new maxed out VAIO Z notebook. Good luck.

2.8 512ssd Carbon extended battery 1080p z13

Reply 4 : New 15" MacBook Pro 2.2 Vs. Maxed out Sony Z13? Help Please!!!

Put a Z next to a MacBook Pro?



ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ





EDIT: I guess I could make my post more useful by saying that a friend of mine has a MBP and he likes my Z better.

Reply 5 : New 15" MacBook Pro 2.2 Vs. Maxed out Sony Z13? Help Please!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by maven1975 I use my laptop for business, showing homes and out in the field. The Z was perfect size for that and watching movies on the plane worked perfect because of it's size. I also like to play games, Black Ops, Crysis 2, SFIV and others. With the Bios mod and new drivers, the Z could handle it well. Although, the MBP would be much better. I'm not sure what the difference between the 330m and 6750 is, but I would guess pretty large.

I humbly think that based on your uses as listed above, a VAIO Z notebook is probably going to suit you better when compared to a 15" MBP.



However, what kind of software do you need to use for work? If it is basically word processing & productivity stuff, then the power of the 2011 Sandy Bridge 15" MBP is not going to make too much difference to you & the VAIO Z notebook is going to be very, very, very fast (as you had already experienced while using one for a while) due to its RAID SSDs.

Reply 6 : New 15" MacBook Pro 2.2 Vs. Maxed out Sony Z13? Help Please!!!

Just pulled the trigger...



I got 20% off at Sony for being a repeat customer.



VPCZ1290X

1080p

Metal Shield

Extended Battery

Win 7 Pro

Adobe Bundle

2.66 - 3.33

8GB

512 SSD



2556.17 Shipped



The MBP would have been 2387 shipped.



I can still cancel if you think I should pick something else.

Reply 7 : New 15" MacBook Pro 2.2 Vs. Maxed out Sony Z13? Help Please!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by maven1975 Just pulled the trigger... I got 20% off at Sony for being a repeat customer. VPCZ1290X 1080p Metal Shield Extended Battery Win 7 Pro Adobe Bundle 2.66 - 3.33 8GB 512 SSD 2556.17 Shipped The MBP would have been 2387 shipped. I can still cancel if you think I should pick something else.

Wow. Great deal. I wish I can get my hands on a 20% discount.



Anyway, congrats on your purchase.

Reply 8 : New 15" MacBook Pro 2.2 Vs. Maxed out Sony Z13? Help Please!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by maven1975 Just pulled the trigger... I can still cancel if you think I should pick something else.

Don't cancel, that Z config is just about perfect, you will be happy

Reply 9 : New 15" MacBook Pro 2.2 Vs. Maxed out Sony Z13? Help Please!!!

I would vouch for th mbp 15'' its not that heavy, and can pack quite a significant punch.



Yes games on it perform quite well. the lead should be around 30-50% better compared to the Z

Wireless Router

Hoping someone can help someone very inexperienced in network etc. I currently have a Netgear WPN824 v2 installed on my desktop computer. About the only time it's used is with the kids laptop and my iPhone and only for internet use, no file sharing. We live in an old home and I do have some problems with range. I have access to a Linksys WRT160N at vitually no cost. My first question. Is the Linksys a better option than the Netgear and can I use one or the other as a "repeater". Or can anyone suggest a better system for what I'm after, that being internet only with maximum range. Hope this makes sense to someone.

Reply 1 : Wireless Router

You want to use the second router as an access point.

I'll answer that post 17 currently in our forum sticky (the top post in this forum) addresses that.

We use stickies so moderators don't have to type the full answer.
Bob

Reply 2 : Wireless Router

If range is an issue to the wireless router then you have three choices, first use a directional antennae to boost the signal http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-make-a-parabolic-wifi-booster-with-aluminum-foil-272913/, buy a different router with wireless 802.11n specification, or use a repeater. If you intend to try to use a second router as a repeater usually it's better to have the main router (by this hooked up to the ISP) connected to a primary computer by wifi, then use a network cable from that computer to the second router that will be the repeater but connect it to it's uplink, and then you will need to on the primary computer configure internet connection sharing.

Reply 3 : Wireless Router

i like to know about this range thing to get better working of network..

Subtitle option greyed out on 8 Series 3D TV

hope someone has previous knowledge on this.
I have an 8 series LED 3D TV connected to cable provider Virgin Media in the UK but the option for subtitles is greyed out.

This came to light because I was trying to play a .mkv which included subtitles through a usb connection.

Reply 1 : Subtitle option greyed out on 8 Series 3D TV

The subtilte file needs to be its own file. Not inside the MKV.

And if you want to campaign for subtitles INSIDE the mkv, go right ahead. At least this area has been discussed and let's hope you can now fix it.

Also, THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE subtitle file. Another well covered limit.
Bob

What is coming out of my laptop ?

Hello,



I got my laptop for about 4-5 months now, and something white is coming out of my laptop.. :P. I thinks its near my graphics card. Also, like 2 days ago my laptop just shut down, because of graphic card overheating. I have never had that before i saw that white stuff coming out. So, now is my question.. What is it ? Should i screw my laptop open and remove it ? Anyways here is a video showing whats coming out.



YouTube - WTH is coming out of my laptop ?



Thanks,



Exiled Dingo



Edit: Not sure where i should have placed this thread. So sorry if it's wrong.

Reply 1 : What is coming out of my laptop ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExiledDingo Hello, I got my laptop for about 4-5 months now, and something white is coming out of my laptop.. :P. I thinks its near my graphics card. Also, like 2 days ago my laptop just shut down, because of graphic card overheating. I have never had that before i saw that white stuff coming out. So, now is my question.. What is it ? Should i screw my laptop open and remove it ? Anyways here is a video showing whats coming out. YouTube - WTH is coming out of my laptop ? Thanks, Exiled Dingo Edit: Not sure where i should have placed this thread. So sorry if it's wrong.

I believe it is thermal paste. find some pictures in the internet to see where GPU or CPU are situated

Reply 2 : What is coming out of my laptop ?

Long way for thermal paste to travel though, and whats leaking out looks more than the amount of thermal paste used anyway. i wonder whats inside the heat pipes? if one is cracked??...they run right round the corner with cooling fins.



You're gonna have to open it up anyway, since its seemingly overheating.

Reply 3 : What is coming out of my laptop ?

Good thought. That is why I told him to check pictures to see what is inside there. However as he bought it 4-5 month ago I DO NOT recommend to open it at all. That is why warranty was made for.

Reply 4 : What is coming out of my laptop ?

Wait are you talking about the yellow balls in your vent? It looks like someone jammed airsoft bbs into it O_O

Reply 5 : What is coming out of my laptop ?

Ohh, sorry....I did not realize it was bought brand new. I read it again now.

You Tube vid is gone now.

But going by my DV9774 I had all apart a few weeks ago to change motherboard, theres not much in that corners except the heat pipe, fins and the fan. The cpu and gpu are quite aways over on the motherboard.

I'd like to have known what it is too.

What would cause m6300 laptop to not even show bios boot?

Dell diagnosed the problem as a "bad motherboard," and of course it is just a few months out of warranty.



I replaced my motherboard with a used one from ebay. Still no signs of life.



Would a bad CPU, GPU, fan or something else cause the unit not to even show the BIOS startup? Power light comes on, but that's about it. Any suggestions on what to try/replace next to try to bring it back to life (I don't really want to buy a replacement GPU or CPU just to try it)?

Reply 1 : What would cause m6300 laptop to not even show bios boot?

Dell owned you.

Usually it is RAM problem or CPU sometimes. How much RAM modules U have? Try to use just one AND put it in different slots (if you do not know where is the first main slot). And turn laptop after every reinstalling a RAM to different slot or changing stick

Reply 2 : What would cause m6300 laptop to not even show bios boot?

Does it stay powered up? If it stays powered up, it's probably a GPU issue...



Problems with 8-Series GPU derivatives aren't as common in removable GPU models like the M6300 as they are in non-removable GPU models like the M1330, but it happens.



See if you can change the RAM amount and make it beep...



EDIT: You might just have a bad screen, too. Try an external display.

Reply 3 : What would cause m6300 laptop to not even show bios boot?

I don't think a bad GPU will cause it to not respond at all. Most likely CPU, although CPU problems can be indicated with flashing LEDs. Memory problems will cause lights or beeps.



Have you changed power sources (different battery or AC adapter)?

Reply 4 : What would cause m6300 laptop to not even show bios boot?

I did the memory dance before calling Dell. I might give that another go.



The power light stays on, with a slight hum from the top-right under the keyboard. I've been wondering if it is the fan attempting to start; quite possibly it has always done that. The DVD gets a brief jolt, but I can't hear anything from the hard drive.



Power supplies, docked or undocked makes no difference. Dell had me hit some key sequence that caused the screen to flash colors. I don't know if that is a sign that the GPU is still alive or not.



I was thinking that desktops I've worked on would sometimes refuse to go anywhere if the BIOS didn't sense that the CPU fan was operating. It could also be that my "new" used motherboard is just as dead as the first.

Reply 5 : What would cause m6300 laptop to not even show bios boot?

It depends on the system, some don't check the fan. Not sure about the M6300, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try to find another fan or get one from eBay.

CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

I've got a CF-29 MK5, and for the last few hours I've been coming up empty trying to find a way to get a high performing SSD into it. With the IDE controller, it seems like the only option is paying way too much for an older SLC IDE SSD with limited disc space. Which doesn't make much sense to me, since the SSD would be 'slow' in comparison to a newer, faster SATA SSD.



I (think) my CF-29 has a PCI-e slot in it where I could put a SATA PCIe SSD, but I don't know if that would work. The SATA PCI SSDs are advertised as 'plug n play', but maybe that's only the case if you've got an SATA controller in the first place? Would getting a PCIe SSD would circumvent the IDE issue?



Basically, how do I get an SATA ssd into my CF-29, and still see the drive's full performance?



Is the 29's IDE mobo a bottleneck that is impossible to get around?



Is it possible to do something like install a PCI SATA card http://www.overclockers.com/forums/s...2&postcount=3?



Do something with a card like this http://www.amazon.com/SD-SATA2-4IR-I...052558&sr=8-4?

Reply 1 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

There is an adapter for ide to sata, its on ebay it works. It just requires a bit of modification.

Reply 2 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

I don't think you will find a pci-e slot on the cf-29 , other than the mark 5 wwan sled



Even if it did, the chances of being able to boot to it are 0



I think there is a couple of members here that choose a pata ssd drive and are happy with the performance



And a few that have used a sata to ide adapter , not really a good fit though



The majority have chosen the 7200rpm hitachi or the 5400rpm Samsung drives





Alex

Reply 3 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomcat57 I don't think you will find a pci-e slot on the cf-29 , other than the mark 5 wwan sled Even if it did, the chances of being able to boot to it are 0 I think there is a couple of members here that chose a pata ssd drive and are happy with the performance And a few that have used a sata to ide adapter, not really a good fit though The majority have chosen the 7200rpm hitachi or the 5400rpm Samsung drives

I sometimes question the reasoning behind trying to "super speed" a reasonably fast "intelligent brick" like the Toughbook CF-29.



Want a "gamer" Toughbook? Go for an i7-equipped CF-31.

Reply 4 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomcat57 I think there is a couple of members here that chose a pata ssd drive and are happy with the performance

I'm one of those members, and I posted some of my positive experiences with it. It certainly makes for a more responsive system.



Another option is a 1.8" ZIF drive and then get an adapter to convert to 2.5" IDE. I've used the Addonics adapter with success. This can give you a few more choices than just the dwindling 2.5" PATA drives.



You have to watch what you getting, as newer isn't necessarily better. An Mtron SLC SSD in a CF-18 gets a better Primary Hard Disk score in the Windows Experience Index (5.9) than a new mid-range desktop computer a friend built with an SATA MLC SSD (5.1).



I don't know much about them as a company, and I have never used any of their products, but RunCore still includes 2.5" PATA IDE Solid State Drives in its product line. While these MLC drives are currently available in capacities up to 256 GB, the performance is less than that of earlier Mtron models.

Reply 5 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

Mtron is one of the first companies that made ssd drives

They were top of the performance charts when they came out

I have a 16gb slc sata Mtron in my spare cf-19 caddy

Expensive when purchased, as was my Samsung slc ssd drives



















Alex

Reply 6 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

I don't play games on the toughbook (though the previous owner had Disney games and Sims 2 installed when I got it). I'm looking at this from a long term investment standpoint. I don't want to buy a PATA ssd because PATA is on the way out I think. I would rather heavily invest in a SATA ssd and get an adaptor for it now so I could remove it from the Toughbook and put on a newer machine years from now and still be happy.



Guess it's not possible to see the full performance out of the SATA ssd but so be it. Question is should the new ssd be SLC or MLC. I saw a post by Les(?) recently around here saying that the newer MLCs don't have as many disadvantages vs SLCs

Reply 7 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

Its a toss up



In a few years the cost will be down, and the capacity up on the sata ssd drives



However if you go with an inexpensive sata ssd and adapt it to work it should be reliable and fast













Alex

Reply 8 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

-Adapter - Amazon.com: Addonics ADSAIDE SATA to IDE-ATAPI Converter: Electronics

-SSD - Amazon.com: ADATA 128 GB S599 Sandforce 2.5-Inch SATA II 3.0Gb/s Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) AS599S-128GM-C (Black): Electronics



Think it'll fit the 29?

Reply 9 : CF-29 SSDs: Is it possible to get around IDE bottleneck?

I like your ssd choice

It uses the Sandforce controller ,which is highly rated



Not sure on the Adapter

Here's another listing for it

SATA laptop adapter 2.5" IDE Panasonic TOUGHBOOK CF-29 - eBay (item 260666946111 end time Oct-19-10 20:23:49 PDT)













Alex

Samsung Series 9: 11 inch vs 13 inch

Hey guys. First time posting here, but I've been reading the forum alot recently and got alot of valuable information



So I have been very interested in the new Samsung Series 9 and especially the 11 inch little brother, however I do have a few concerns and questions so I decided to turn to you guys for some advice. Basically I need a very portable machine with decent performance, good battery life and nice design Also love the great screen. There are some revies around for the 13 inch one and it seems like it's receiving alot good scores, but there are some key differences between the two models though. I'm writing this mainly from the perspective of the 11 inch one, since that's the one I'm thinking of purchasing.



1. Unlike the bigger version which is powered by i5 2537M, the 11 inch one is running on i3 380UM. Does anyone know what is the difference on performance and battery life between these two? Now I don't plan to do alot of heavy stuff or heavy gaming, just using it for school stuff, normal light use and occasional League of Legends game if possible



2. My other, perhaps the biggest, concern is the fact that in the 11 inch model there is only 2GB of DDR3 system memory(which is also the maximum). Is this gonna entirely cripple the experience?



3. 64 GB SSD. Would guess for some people it's a huge deal to have so little space for me it's not a big deal since I'm not planning to store alot of

stuff in it.



4. The official Samsung site lists both as having Intel HD Graphics 3000. I'm a little bit confused since I was under the impression that this feature is integrated on the new Sandy Bridge processors and although the 13 inch version has one, I'm not sure how the 11 inch version with slightly older i3 380UM is also listed as having the new graphics. I'm a little bit confused here so I'd appreciate if someone could clear this out for me



I really hope that these differences won't make the little brother a retard brother because I really like the small size and more reasonable price tag ($1199.99 vs $1649.99). Also hoping they have the same, bright and matte screen.



Any information and comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.



Series 9 Notebook | Samsung Office Series 9 Notebook

Series 9 Notebook | Samsung Office Series 9 Notebook