to buy B1XP or S2XP

[enzo95]

Hi all,

Despite being a loyal (and happy) Vaio user for the last 5 years (began with GR series, at the moment using a GRX315MP at work and FX505 at home), I have discovered club vaio forum very recently.

I want to buy a new Vaio but this time a lighter model - 3.9 kg is becoming too much to carry along, getting older I suppose . I keep on hesitating between B1XP and S2XP/HP (or maybe S3 which is yet to come out). Could you guys help me with some advise on following aspects:
- Screen (13.3 vs 14.1)
- HDD (4200/5400/7200 RPM, which model has which RPM)
- FAN NOISE (annoying experiences with FX505, happy with GRX)
- Graphics card (doing a lot with Photoshop)
- overall quality

Thank you all in advance for your time!

Cheers to all from Netherlands.

[kee-lo_]

If you're going to be doing some graphics work I suggest the bigger screen, a good CPU (1.8-2Ghz) and a 64MB graphics card.

[enzo95]

Thanks for your reply, Kee-Lo!

Shall I better consider B1XP then?

I have not yet had the opportunity to see this model in the showroom. Would the fonts then not be too small in 1400x1050 resolution?
For photoshop activities I use an external monitor (both at work and home), notebook screen is important only when I'm outside the office, as long as it is readable.
By the way, would the shared graphics memory cause performance slow-down in Photoshop?

[kee-lo_]

Hi

Hopefully a B user can answer some of these questions for you. The shared graphics shouldn't slow down Photoshop.

[enzo95]

Kee-Loo, somehow you are the only one who has bothered to reply till now. Hope some B users would still reply.

Thanks for your reaction!

[monssao]

hi. well, first of all i hope that you understand my english :smileygrin:

i'm learning ...

well, i have a B1XP about two weeks, i'm very pleased with it, the screen resolution is very good, fonts don't get too small, i thing it takes the perfect size to work with a lot of windows.

the screen resolution that i have at my dispose are, 1400x1050, 1280x1024 1280x768 1024x768 and so on..but lower than 1400x1050 i think that the color becomes too strange...i don't know what other users think. if you want, i can see the resolution's that i can take with an external monitor... let me know if you want.

Now, i hope you understand..the processor gets could from the lateral, right side..the fan noise (for me) is preety good (not annoying ) and never becomes too hot (about 60º C at maximum, normally 30º - 40º C)

i never try a game in this notebook, but in Linux the graphics works fine, i think that is good enought .. i don't know for photoshop .

i think that's all folks :smileygrin: .. some that you didn't understand, say, i will try to explain...i know that i'm bad writing english

i hope that it helps ... answer my post to let me know that.

[MatOakley]

I have the B1 and the Mrs has the S1 and I prefer the B1. Screen is a bit bigger (but not as crisp), graphics seem fine for Photoshop and Quark at 1400 by 1050.

No idea on the HDD, but fan noise is fine (and as a right hander its nice to have that warm air blowing over cold fingers on my mouse!)

Mat

[enzo95]

monssao,

Thanks for the information, do not worry, your English is fine, at least for me - I was able to get all I needed from your response.

Thanks again for your help.

Enzo

[enzo95]

Thanks, Mat!

Cheers...

[monssao]

hi.

ok, everything you need, just tell me