SVS1512GPXB
3.5
5
2
2
My experience
First of all, I generally really liked my previous notebook by Sony (z36xrn). The only problem with it was the small screen, which I realized is actually very bad for my eyesight. I decided to change to 15 inch. So I bought this model and expected it to be as good as my previous notebook.
1. First thing that quite disappointed me is the new design, which looks quite plastic and edgy. However, that's not so important for me.
2. Then this touchpad... Obviously it wants to be like MAC's touchpad, but why is it so small then? Alright, it is not a big deal, there is enough space anyway. But when I started to use it I figured out more problems. On the default settings i didn't understand how I can comfortably select multiple files (selecting a region) or drag a scroller and both turned on tapping and clicking just confuses user...
So I started to tweak it. I downloaded newer driver from Sony's downloads. Turned off tapping in settings. Tried out different settings for clicking and right button region and smart sense. But all configurations don't allow to normally perform a "select region" and moreover they won't allow you to point with one hand and to click with the other (to which you are so used to), you will always have to first point, then release your hand and then only click, which is so uncomfortable. So I wanted to configure it finally to emulate a buttoned touchpad and there is a possibility for it in driver (restrict pointing zone) but it appeared to be buggy - it just recognizes your clicking finger (which you normally hold in the left button corner of the touchpad) as a pointing finger and a small movement in it actually moves cursor. So when you want to perform a click it actually moves your cursor a bit sometimes and you have to point it again and press again which is very irritating obviously.
After I downloaded even newer driver from the Synaptics web site but still the same bug remained there as well.
So I really wished it was just a usual buttoned touchpad and not a buggy small bad touchpad.
3. Actually I wanted to install Ubuntu on this laptop along with Windows. Firstly I discovered that there are already 5 partitions on my PC which I can't manage myself and which take about 40 Gigs of space which is a bad surprise. Alright I found out how to clean 37 Gigs of them but I already I felt a bit frustrated anyway. And the new way of BIOS access is quite inconvenient. I couldn't even understand which is the real power button "assist" or "IO" and will I be able to boot Ubuntu with Grab in this "UEFI" mode along with Windows or should I edit Windows boot loader to recognize my Ubuntu install or may be I have to switch to "Latency" to install anything except Windows... I am sure It is a solvable problem but why you had to make things so complicated when it is not needed. This PC has a Drive... You could have just included a DVD with Windows 8 for restoration and make a normal habitual BIOS.
4. Also Windows 8 was a disappointment. Well I think Windows 7 was a decent OS. Polished and fast and thought-out . But Windows 8 is not like this. I won't criticize the new Metro design because actually it is quite cool and comfortable to use, I will criticize how stupidly this is combined with previous design and desktop with taskbar. Why would I need this metro style if all programs I use will initiate the old desktop anyway? So all I get is actually new look for the start menu. That's all. It would be much more sensible if there were no more the usual desktop at all and the Metro style would have just replaced it - and all older programs run just in full-screen mode like metro programs. And now it is just like you have 2 desktops - one for new programs and one for old which is inconvenient. And this charm bar is uncomfortable to access. Couldn't its functions just be placed in the start menu?
As you can see quite a lot of things disappointed me. And I decided to return the laptop. I think I will switch to new MAC with Retina display (which has an outstanding display) and install Windows 7 on it, since I am familiar with that and it is said to work very well with new displays.
Well it is quite sad but it is all because Microsoft and laptop producers keep making the same mistakes on and on. They try to chase apple in all the ways. But apple had already fully captured this "user-friendly" market and Microsoft looks like an outsiders on it. People who liked Windows actually liked it because it is convenient for any work they do and they were accustomed to it. So the key factors were it was flexible for any work and it was all tweakable and like for more advanced users. Microsoft totally refused to understand this as I understand this and it will probably lose those who liked windows...
January 13, 2013
Awesome laptop, terrible touchpad.
This laptop is amazing. Super fast, great design, incredible screen. In fact the screen is nicer than the retina macbooks, brighter, accurate colors and non reflective (a must for real work). Same specs as a high end MBP at half the price.
But I have one major issue, which is why I had to deduct a full star. The touchpad. Why on earth is every laptop manufacturer trying to copy all the stupid stuff from Apple , in this case removing the buttons from the touchpad? Not everything Apple does is good: remember the one button mouse?
The touchpad is pretty much useless without buttons, just like all the Apple touchpads. Please stop this madness and offer an old fashioned touchpad option for the people who want to get stuff done, not just show off at the corner coffee shop (and contrary to hipster beliefs, a no button touchpad won't score any chicks).
December 5, 2012
