Sony's 16.4-inch VAIO FW laptop gets previewed

Maybe it's the 16.4-inch panel, or maybe it's the built-in Blu-ray drive. Whatever it is, Sony's VAIO FW has garnered quite a bit of attention. Just a fortnight after getting (extra) official, this nimble monster made its way into the loving arms of NotebookReview, where critics couldn't resist giving us a sneak peek before penning the fleshed-out review. We'll just get it out there -- initial impressions are really positive. Fit, finish and build quality were all deemed "excellent," and the overall design was dubbed "beautiful." Performance seemed to be above par during limited testing, though the screen is apt to be one of those love it or hate it ordeals. Check out the read link if for nothing more than a couple more shots.

Update: CNET has a full review of the unit.

[when2k Posted Jul 28th 2008 9:23AM]

It looks similar to the Air, but has its own unique features too.

BTW, yes, my pic was taken on a Mac, but I don't own one. NOT A FANBOY.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2008 10:06AM]

How? How does this resemble a MacBook Air? A MacBook Pro, yes, but an Air? One the one hand you have a 13" thin 'n' light laptop and on the other you have Sony's 17" (or close enough) bruiser. Tell you what, I'll smack you round the head with each and see if you can identify the Sony (tip: it'll be the one that hurts more).

BTW I own a MacBook Pro and probably am a fanboy but this doesn't seem to impair my eyesight.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2008 11:35AM]

It resembles the Air in that it has the black-on-silver, freestanding key, indented keyboard design as the Air. The touchpad is also a little like the Air's too.

http://mos.musicradar.com/images/Computer%20Music/Issue%20125/apple-macbook-air1-470-80.jpg

C'mon, Sony fanbois, you have to admit that this isn't just a generic laptop look. Not that I think it's bad to work off of previous designs, or that everything needs to be original.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2008 9:38AM]

looks like a macbook. LOL

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2008 9:38AM]

Second!.......to low rank you!

[Jorvay Posted Jul 28th 2008 9:46AM]

pfft...they totally just ripped of Sony.

...no wait...

[JoeJoeJoeJoeJoe Posted Jul 28th 2008 9:48AM]

Very nice... how much?

[apeguero Posted Jul 28th 2008 9:56AM]

What the heck's a "fortnight"?

[Jorvay Posted Jul 28th 2008 10:14AM]

two weeks.

[davincithought Posted Jul 28th 2008 1:37PM]

http://justfuckinggoogleit.com/

[BMWracer0 Posted Jul 28th 2008 10:02AM]

They have it at Best Buy already. Anyone else think it's kinda funny that there is a sticker that says "1600x900 resolution", but another one that says "Full 1080p"? I know it has HDMI out, but that still seems a little decieving to customers.

[darex Posted Jul 28th 2008 10:02AM]

I agree. That keyboard does look awfully familiar.

I first saw it on the Tandy TRS-80 CoCo II.

Now, why do Apple and Sony think this is a good thing to have, and why does Sony feel that Apple's silly mistake is worthy of being emulated?

My ASUS Eee has a better keyboard than these sillly chiclets without any travel or feedback.

MAJOR TURN-OFF of any Apple (or Sony?) Lappies.

[darex Posted Jul 28th 2008 10:05AM]

Correction:

Tandy TRS-80 original CoCo. On the CoCo II they realized how crappy their keyboard was and upgraded it to a conventional one.

http://www.heartbone.com/comphist/TRS_80_Color_Computer_2.jpg

[RKN Posted Jul 28th 2008 10:33AM]

Sigh....................Apple fanboys...............such ignorant fools, blind to the world around them.

[DAZA Posted Jul 28th 2008 10:35AM]

Can't believe they sacrificed a numpad just to space out the keys. Even some 15.4" notebooks from ASUS can squeeze in the numpad. It's almost a given that a 16.4" would. Apart from that, looks like a great notebook, but going to be very pricey as per usual.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2008 10:39AM]

these apple fanboys are driving me nuts! Im buying this sweet baby tonight

[LEDfoot Posted Jul 28th 2008 10:44AM]

All that space, and not a full keyboard??? SRSLY??

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2008 11:00AM]

this thing is slathered in "want it now".

please..

someone.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2008 11:10AM]

I just picked up an FW series, without Blue Ray, and 3GB RAM with the 3470 card for 1080 shipped. I have a corporate discount and that 1080 price doesnt include the $100 ill bet back from using sony card.

So basically I got it for $980.

I did saw the exact same model I ended up buying at Best Buy for 1149, without blue ray, 3gb ram, and 3470 video card. Its a gorgeous laptop, the screen in person is vibrant and crisp, I'm no longer going to be using my 17" 1280x1024 monitor on my desktop, I can deal with the 16" wide screen and the higher resolution.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2008 12:43PM]

He's right though... it looks like a powerbook from 05-06.

http://lowendmac.com/rivera/06/art/powerbooks.jpg

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2008 1:47PM]

Now if only Sony made the HD 3650/70 available to NA consumers (or even better a 9600M GT or 9650M GS). I'll get the Sony Z as my travel/backup notebook and wait for Dell's 16.4" XPS model, hopefully with a better graphics card. Unless, Sony upgrades the GPU option in the meantime.

[RKetterl Posted Jul 28th 2008 2:09PM]

I'm pretty excited about the FW, I pre-ordered one two weeks ago, hopefully it will arrive sometime in September. I was suprised that I could get it for the price I did: T9400, ATI HD 3470 (256MB), and 160gb HDD all for $1350. It'll be bomb

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2008 5:13PM]

I always regret when I buy a sony computer, so I'm not goint to spend for this one !
http://www.choose-laptop.com/LAPTOP-COMPUTERS/REVIEW-OF-NEW-SONY-16-INCH-VAIO-LAPTOP-COMPUTER

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2008 6:05PM]

Engadget always reminds me why I truly hate the apple user base.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 28th 2008 9:59PM]

Funny, I was shopping for a new laptop a couple months ago. Debated between a macbook, macbook air, sony tz, or sony sz. About the only laptops that are expensive for the performance than sony are apple.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 29th 2008 12:00AM]

It's above $2k.
I would feel comfortable to buy a Macbook Pro rather than a Sony in the price.

[RKetterl Posted Jul 29th 2008 4:52PM]

It's only over $2000 if you go for the hi-def screen and all the Blu-Ray stuff, which i find unneccesary on a laptop. Without those, you're looking at around $1300 or less