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Max RAM on Sony Vaio W

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Peppermind -  
 Peppermind -
Hello,

I just bought a Sony Vaio W. The machine comes standard with 1 GB RAM, 250 GB HDD, and Windows 7 (Starter Kit).

The finish is impeccable and the verified battery life is about 5 hours (+/-) (XiFi On/Bluetooth Off).

To improve performance, I was considering replacing the 1 GB memory stick with a 2 GB one, but Sony states in the specifications for the Vaio W that the maximum memory is 1 GB.
(see https://www.sony.be/fr/electronics/support

On a German site, it explains how to upgrade the memory, but nothing indicates that it is recognized.
(https://www.mobilegeeks.de/leserbericht-sony-vaio-w-eindruecke-und-upgrade-how-to/

Does anyone have any ideas or explanations for these contradictions?

Thanks in advance.
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6 answers

  1. pierre45
     
    Hi,

    I also just installed a 2GB stick and it is recognized directly under the BIOS and Windows 7 Starter Edition.
    1
    1. boum
       
      Can you tell me where you bought your 2GB memory stick, and at what price?
      If you have a website link, I'm interested.
      Thank you.
      0
  2. redskins72 Posted messages 7466 Status Member 650
     
    we need the complete reference of the PC to verify it! !

    --
    mark your post as "resolved" if you have no more questions! !
    0
    1. peppermind
       
      It is a VPCW12S1E.

      While continuing to search, I found some information on a forum suggesting that the problem is related to the version of Windows 7. The "Starter Edition" would only accept 1 GB while the Premium version accepts 2 GB.

      See: http://translate.google.com/...

      Thank you in advance.
      0
      1. Libellule > peppermind
         
        Good evening,

        I saw that you had a Vaio series W... I searched a lot for information online, but nothing very interesting. What do you think of this machine? Is typing easy? What about the battery life of around 5 hours? They claim 2.5 hours on the site!

        Thank you!
        0
      2. labot > peppermind
         
        Hi,
        I also have the Vaio VPCW12M1E and I would like to upgrade my RAM.
        Can you guide me?
        Thanks
        0
      3. Peppermind > labot
         
        Good evening,

        I haven't done it yet, but I plan to upgrade to 2 GB of RAM and replace the hard drive with an SSD to gain in autonomy and speed.

        The explanations are available here: https://www.cnetfrance.fr#more-6539

        From what I see in the pictures, Transcend and Kingston RAM are recognized.

        There is more information available in English here:
        https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/sony-vaio-netbook-w-open-box-review-warning-lots-of-pictures.103106/
        https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/sony-vaio-netbook-w-strip-down-warning-lots-of-pictures.105177/
        https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/sony-vaio-w-netbook-hdd-to-ssd-upgrade-benchmarks.105619/

        Best regards
        0
  3. Peppermind Posted messages 2 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
     
    Good evening,

    The battery life is indeed 5 hours or a bit better without Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The difference probably comes from the configuration sold in Belgium by FNAC, which has a 6-cell battery advertised for 7 hours and 30 minutes of autonomy: https://www.sony.be/fr/electronics/support

    I am very happy with this PC, which is quite fast with Windows 7, the screen is stunning, and the performance is pretty good. The keyboard and finish are impeccable, like all Vaio products.

    One small downside is the fan noise, which is not always discreet. For this reason, I am considering replacing the hard drive with an SSD, as described in some forums. The additional cost is worth it, especially since it doubles the battery life, which then becomes very interesting.

    Another downside is that the Starter version of Windows 7 is quite limited, and upgrading to a Premium version is essential if you want to connect to a network. Windows is waiting for you with a license that costs at least €85 extra.

    Other than that, this PC is very pleasant and has partially reconciled me with Windows, which I had abandoned for Mac.

    It just lacks an integrated UMTS modem. The two USB ports are too close together, which is inconvenient when trying to use a USB modem alongside something else.

    Good luck with your research.
    0
    1. Peppermind
       
      Here it is,

      I finally got and installed a 2 GB (Transcend) RAM module that was immediately recognized. The machine is faster.

      To replace the RAM, you need to open the hard drive cover (three screws). You also need to remove the battery. Then, you remove three tiny screws with a very fine cross screwdriver. After that, just gently pop off the keyboard. The RAM is located right underneath.

      The problem is therefore solved.
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    2. boum > Peppermind
       
      Hi Peppermind,
      Did you keep Windows Starter?
      Where and at what price did you buy that 2GB stick?... do you have a link?
      Thanks in advance
      0
    3. Peppermind > boum
       
      Good evening,

      I upgraded to a Premium version, as the Starter version was too limited.

      I don't quite remember what I paid for this memory, but it was around €30. I bought it from the company that maintains the company's IT infrastructure.

      It's possible to find this kind of RAM almost everywhere.

      Good luck
      0
    4. pascal 33 > Peppermind
       
      Hi Pepermint, I'm particularly interested to know if you have changed the hard drive for an SSD as you were considering earlier?
      Has anyone else tried this modification?
      0
    5. peppermind > pascal 33
       
      I indeed installed a 128 GB SSD (this morning) and the performance has skyrocketed. The hardest part was creating an image of my disk and transferring it to the SSD.

      It was the company's technician who did it because you need a SATA dock to do it easily. The startup is much faster, almost as fast as with my old EEPC 701 running Linux.

      The battery life has certainly improved significantly, but I don't have enough experience yet to say by how much and the indicator needs to be recalibrated.
      0
  4. pierre45
     
    Hi, it's a 2GB DDR2 SODIMM stick from Trascent running at 800MHz (not really useful, but that's all they had)
    I bought it at the local Leclerc multimedia store for 49 euros.
    0
    1. sanao
       
      Hi,
      And thank you for the information
      I'm also going to switch to 2GB, I've been looking for all this information for a long time
      so thank you very much :)
      One question, is the difference noticeable with the 2GB?
      Because I have some small issues with videos on YouTube for example. I thought that with a little more memory it would work. Well, the future will tell :)
      0
  6. Peppermind Posted messages 2 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
     
    Hello,

    The performance has greatly improved, but I can't say whether it's the RAM or the replacement of the hard drive with an SSD that has boosted the Vaio the most.

    I only use it rarely for video (the sound is terrible, which forces me to connect headphones), but I don't notice any stuttering, and the images are smooth.

    It seems to me that more RAM should improve things in any case (buffering).

    Good luck.
    0
  7. Wise
     
    Hello,

    I installed a new 2GB Kingston RAM stick, which was immediately recognized; however, now it's the processor that's limiting the speed.

    Does anyone have a solution to reduce the noise emitted by the fan, as I work in a very quiet place and it's tiring to hear it all the time? Peppermind, did changing the disk to an SSD reduce the noise from the fan?

    Thank you
    0
    1. Peppermind
       
      Hello,

      I don't have a solution for this fan, but it seems to start less often since I installed the SSD. When we travel, I read my newspaper in PDF on this Vaio. I have read it in bed without my wife complaining about the noise.

      This laptop is perfect for traveling light and for surfing anywhere with a 3G/UMTS modem stick or Wi-Fi when available. This laptop is on our coffee table and we use it every day. We are not ready to part with it even if I eventually buy a MacBook Pro, solely for better performance and to use my favorite photo and video software (Capture NX2/Final Cut Express, etc.). The Vaio struggles a bit with these programs on Windows 7.
      0