Official 2012 Sony S Series Owners Thread

No, to be fair, it *is* pretty awful. In a budget machine, it'd be bareable, but not in an over-£1k machine. I've been using mine since last July, and still regretting the purchase due solely to the bad screen.

The viewing angles and black level/unevenness are some of the worst that I've used in recent years, there's an odd 'shimmering' effect visible at the top-right corner of the screen if it's displaying a red Win7 'close' button (so most of the time), and to me, the screen coating makes it look 'dirty' all the time. It's OK-ish if you're using it for web/mail/Office (doesn't look so bad for work/web stuff which is mostly on a white background). Crap for movies/games or design/art work.

Which is a real shame, as the rest of the machine is great. I'm tempted to try the IPS mod, but that whole thread is stories of wrecked screens, broken bezels and scarier still, blown motherboard fuses...

 

Hello!

I bought a Svs1513c5 just a weeks ago and decided to buy an Samsung 840 Pro ssd disk separatly. I have tried everything now to install Windows 8 on that ssd disk but it is impossible... Installation is always ok but when the laptop reboots first time I always get bsod and a eroor code.. Anyone else here having this problem?

 

Hi,

I purchased S15 around two month back with 500 GB HDD. Now I am planning to upgrade my HDD to 1 TB Seagate SSHD for better performance. I don't want to install new copy of OS + Softwares due to lack of time. Is it possible to clone my HDD fully to the new SSHD including boot partition, EFI partition and other partitions. Any recommended software to use ?

 

Agreed, it's pretty much unbearable to look at hence why I bought the replacement screen, but unfortunately it's still with my friend in another country and I'll get it only in a few months at best.

 

Yep the display of the s13p 1600x900 is very grainy like grease was smeared all over it which is why I returned mine back in November.

 

Sounds like you may have a lemon display, mine wasn't nearly as bad as you describe.

Broken bezels and blown fuses only happen when people try to rush and get careless. Blown fuses ONLY happen when a power supply is still connected when you plug or unplug the display. If you get the B1 version, you only have to remove about 5 inches (2.5 inches on each side) of a small border around the display. People break the bezel because they either cut stuff off that is unnecessary, or pull the display bezel apart without taking the time of popping the clips out.
Wrecked screens on the otherhand is fairly likely if you are not careful. You must have a dremel or something similar. Any pressure up or down will break the new display when it is out of the bezel. And the bezel is glued onto the old display, so unless you are very careful, and heat the glue up, you will most likely break the old display as well trying to take it apart. The IPS display is only 70-80 bucks now though, so even if you break one and have to buy two, its still well worth the money in my opinion. I love the new display!

 

Ok so I got my Sony S13 and although the vertical viewing angles are terribad, and the screen is indeed grainy, i think it's bearable.


What bugs me the most is the freaking dynamic contrast, that gets back on everytime i somehow manage to turn it off. Let's be clear, i turned off every power saving feature, every thing that might alter the screen brightness etc. But each time i boot the pc, i get it back again.

What it does is when the main colors on the screen are darker, the brightness gets dimmer. I don't know who the hell got this stupid idea, it might work to some extent on TVs while watching a movie, but it's terrible on a 13" laptop when you're just browsing the web.

To my knowledge there are 5 settings that might affect that : the power and display options in vaio control center, the stamina/speed switch, the nvidia settings, the intel graphics settings, and the windows advanced power settings.

I switched everything to high performance or disabled anything that might alter the brightness automatically. But i still don't know how to completely kill this thing for good.

It literally drives me insane.

Please help me !

 

I have the same problem with my S1513. I noticed it happens when I plug the power adapter while the laptop is in sleep mode and I then wake it up. The solution that works 100% for me: I unplug and replug the power cord and all is OK.
I hope it helps

 

Although it does not appear to function after the display mod, if memory serves, I think the settings to change this are as follows:

Open Intel Control center.
Double click on intel HD Graphics
Select Power
Select "On Battery" in dropdown
Uncheck Display power saving technology
Select apply and OK on the popup.

 

That did the trick ! Thanks

Now i can stop pulling my hairs out each time i wake my pc
I was playing civ5 just now, and it was really annoying with the darkish fog of war and menus causing the screen to dim and brighten back all the time è_é



@ctenc yeah i got that disabled already, thanks anyway, that settings is well hidden.

 

Ordered a custom S15. Est shipping date is 5/14, order status processing. Meanwhile, Im looking for a cheap 4G stick of RAM to add to the laptop once it arrives. Any suggestions?

 

HI there, I just got a question:

I got a SVS13A15GH and I tried to plug many different wwan card( pci slot) to the laptop but the laptop can not detect anything. There is nothing show up (even unknown device) show up in the device manager. Do you have any idea to enable (activate) the wwan slot. Thank you very much.
PS: I am using windows 8 pro

 

Can anyone confirm that there is no 15%-25% system load when using the HDD in the ODD slot with the newer SVS1513C5E? Thus having a newer/fixed BIOS. I ordered one for my girlfriend and I don't like to solder her laptop when it's still under warranty..

 

If you have your Intel Display Graphics on anything less except Maximum Performance when plugged in or battery you will get washed out colors, slow brightness correction and gradient banding if screen brightness is not set on highest level

 

Which is better for extra battery life, the sheet battery or an extra battery (VGP-BPS24) ?

 

Hi,

I'm a bit confused RE the SSD. On the config page, Sony allow me to choose a HDD with 8GB SSD in addition to an optical drive, but they charge a fortune for the SSD. If I opt for HDD only, will I be able to add an SSD later without losing my Bluray drive?

 

Can I upgrade the HDD to HDD+SSD without losing my optical drive?

 

You can pull out your hd and put an ssd. Or lose your dvd and swap for a ssd

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

So how do they offer an HDD with 8GB SSD as well as an optical drive? I'm thinking I might just opt for the 320gb HDD they over and then swap it for a big hybrid drive when it arrives!

 

The extra battery is just a replacement battery. And it is not easy to remove as it is in most VAIOs (e.g. I can put my F1/F2 to hibernate, replace the battery in 3 seconds and resume it - you need a screwdriver to replace the SVS15 VGP-BPS24 battery as it is internal)
The extra sheet battery is another thing and it doubles the time for the machine. Plus you can have more than one of them, charge them independantly of the laptop (or when on it, as you wish) and thus have an entire day with absolutely no downtime or even sleep/hibernate, if you want that.

For battery life, to compare to what others mentioned, here are some stats with the extra battery (8800 mAh total):
- Starcraft 2 on HD4000 or nVidia GT640LE, I can play at max. allowed settings for >2 hours, max. brightness. Strangely, absolutely no difference in battery runtime between the two! (I can tell a different card is used because HD4000 cannot play over 720p with Low settings whereas GT640LE can play all max. at least on most missions)
- Watching videos over WiFi fron a network disk: ~4-5 hours, max. brightness, over 8h with minimal brightness. Stamina mode of course.
- Youtube can do >8h with full brightness over WiFi on Stamina. I am puzzled as to how Youtube can work much longer than videos from a networked drive, but it was so every time I tried it (I use the laptop for either several hours a day, so I have a pretty good amount of "data" for comparison)
- Browsing... not exactly comparable due to different websites CPU load, but for forums Windows estimates I can browse under 4h with full brightness Note that this is with the extra battery!

The 8GB is not a separate SSD, it is 8GB of flash on the HDD to make the hybrid drive.

 

I have a rather peculiar issue with my S series. I have the 15 inch with the 3612QM processor. I've noticed when the integrated HD 4000 gets utilized the laptop hums.

I'm 100% sure its not a fan, and it only makes the noise when the integrated gpu is under load.

Has anyone else had this issue?

I'm thinking about contacting sony but they probably would dismiss me and say it was fan noise and I didn't know what I was talking about.

It does get a little annoying when its quiet and I hear a buzzing/humming from the laptop.

Also, the sound i'm hearing sounds just like a quiet cicada is trapped in my laptop, it's that same type of buzzing noise.

 

I've got some problem with mounting the HDD/RAM/battery cover. Two edges don't fit as they should or I'm doing something wrong. When I put the laptop on a table and push the front a little it crackles both on the left and right side.

 

Yes,i thinks i've got the same problem with ur ! i've bought an SVS151190X 2 weeks ago,then last week,i've bought a Samsung 840 PRO to installed on it,i was thinking this Samsung 840 PRO is a latest gen,with faster reading n writing than the previous 830,but after installed it,i've found out i was wasted my $ on this drive ! i should have reads a lots of info from here n some where else b4 buying this drive,lots of people complaints about this 840 r unstable,not like the 830,i usually after installed new drive,i used the recovery discs i made,to re-installed the OS,but i can't do that with this 840,i can only put the old drive back in,n installed the migration software came with the 840 clone the drive,then i can boot to Windows OK,but when i sync my music from the walkman into the S with windows media player,sometimes laptop freeze,i can't do any thing accepted shut down n restarted it ! i thinks it's because people said in this topic : SONY has block the Bios,so the laptop can only compatible with Sata 2,if we used Sata3 6Ggbs it's will makes the system unstable ! that's what's i thought n i don't know how to fix this prob,n now i can't use this 840 PRO drive,it's a 512 GB Samsung 840 PRO,cost me $579 in Australia ! n now i used in my old VAIO VGN-FW47 n it's works without a problem ! shame on SONY ! so if u figure out how to fix this issue,can u posts it here please ! thanks.

 

Yes,i thinks i've got the same problem with ur ! i've bought an SVS151190X 2 weeks ago,then last week,i've bought a Samsung 840 PRO to installed on it,i was thinking this Samsung 840 PRO is a latest gen,with faster reading n writing than the previous 830,but after installed it,i've found out i was wasted my $ on this drive ! i should have reads a lots of info from here n some where else b4 buying this drive,lots of people complaints about this 840 r unstable,not like the 830,i usually after installed new drive,i used the recovery discs i made,to re-installed the OS,but i can't do that with this 840,i can only put the old drive back in,n installed the migration software came with the 840 clone the drive,then i can boot to Windows OK,but when i sync my music from the walkman into the S with windows media player,sometimes laptop freeze,i can't do any thing accepted shut down n restarted it ! i thinks it's because people said in this topic : SONY has block the Bios,so the laptop can only compatible with Sata 2,if we used Sata3 6Ggbs it's will makes the system unstable ! that's what's i thought n i don't know how to fix this prob,n now i can't use this 840 PRO drive,it's a 512 GB Samsung 840 PRO,cost me $579 in Australia ! n now i used in my old VAIO VGN-FW47 n it's works without a problem ! shame on SONY ! so if u figure out how to fix this issue,can u posts it here please ! thanks.

 

I think there's a solution for it. Install Windows 8 with Legacy Mode, right after first restart after installation go to BIOS and change it to UEFI mode and it'll work.

 

Is there a benefit to changing it to UEFI ?

 

It works on SATA3 or SATA2 ???

 

I tested it while using SATA3. If I hadn't change to UEFI after first restart (after file copying) I would get BSOD or No operating system found.

 

Hi Guys,

I have been looking for a portable but powerful enough laptop from quite some time now, and Sony S series 15 inch model looked okay to me. Till today I was sure of buying it and then I bumped into this thread.

Can you guys please tell me some pros and cons of this laptop? Is it good enough to buy, or should I just start looking for some other?

I need a portable one, with more than integrated graphics. Thanks in advance.
n please help

 

I am having exactly the same Delima... I think I am going with Samsung NP780Z5E after all... Much better GPU, better colors, brightness and outdoor visibility (although a TN panel), 10 hour web surfing battery among others. I really liked my white vaio S, but.... at least if one could come with a patch for overclocking the GPU on win 8; even having to install win 7 back...

 

Don't expect any high-end GPU from Sony. Previous S model had Radeon 6630, this time they switched to NVIDIA introducing GF640M LE. Wouldn't expect any better GPU, they focus on some other market segment, unfortunately.

 

I dont have very high graphic needs. But I want it to do fair enough part. I am just concerned about the quality of this laptop and reliability of Sony. Because I dont like getting things repaired again n again. I was hoping for good enough battery backup, which unfortunately isnt provided here. Inspite of that i can buy it coz of portability. There aren't much options available here for me and I dont like samsung in terms of laptop. So dnt want to buy that either.

 

According to what you've written, I suggest using VAIO S. GF640M LE after O/C is enough for playing, if you have 2013 model then there may be a problem. About battery, you can always buy back up battery or buy bigger one with HDD included from Sony (the price is around 170 € .

By Samsung you mean the newest Chronos with Radeon 8570 or 8870? Because there's a big difference and 8570 won't meet your expectations.

 

By samsung I mean this one

Samsung NP530U4C-S01IN Ultrabook (3rd Gen Ci5/ 6GB/ 1TB/ Win7 HP/ 1GB Graph) - Samsung: Flipkart.com

Its available in my country and several other variants which offer very nice features. I just dont know if I should trust samsung or not. Coz its not famous for its laptops but other gadgets.

I have looked into ASUS also, and its Vivobook, also has quite less battery backup. Plus it doesnt have any external GPU.

I didnt get 2013 model part?? Are Sony S models this year suffering from some problem?? to be precise I will get SVS15135cn in my country.

 

S 2012 models can be O/c'd very well. Even when using Windows 8, all you need to do is to flash modded BIOS.

About Samsung, I had R710 a few years back and it was packed with GF 9600M GT. Was quite powerful back then. The most interesting thing about that laptop was quiet, the noise level was just awesome. Unfortunately, I have no contact with the current-selling models of Samsung. The design looks poor to me, apart from 9 series, which is an ultrabook with integrated graphics and costs more than 1000 €.

VAIO S has many advantages:
- good GPU (after o/c on the same level or higher than 650M equipped with GDDR3)
- great IPS screen, if you're lucky you'll get orange-gate-free screen. I bought mine 1511C5E a month ago and it has no problems with the screen (1920x1080)
- battery after calibration works around 4 hours. Kinda hoped for at least 5 hours, mainly due to 3rd gen Intel i5, but still it's a good result. I was considering to install Windows 8 as I have heard it extends the battery duration, but I hate the interface
- backlit keyboard, but unfortunately WSAD keys problem when playing some games
- the design is just great
- it's lightweight, 2 kg, it's very portable, I take it anywhere without any problems
- STAMINA/SPEED slider, very useful to me

Disadvantage:
- poor speakers, play like mono, doesn't matter if you activate Dolby Home Theater or xLoud from Sony

 

could you please define "there may be a problem?"

 

2013 models don't have ability to mod BIOS at this moment.

 

Thank you. I'm sorry if my question sounds silly, but do you think is a matter of time to do so ( i mean they always do so), oor it depends?
Thanks again

 

The main problem is that 2013 use Windows 8 which uses UEFI, not BIOS. I think it'll time so time for them to fix it. The Sony community is really big, so sooner or later we'll see some modded UEFI

 

Please I need real help:

I have just upgraded my SVS1511 from Win7 to Win8 (an original copy downloaded from MSDN).
The problem is: I have followed the guide step by step for driver installation, but I am having a lot of annoying issues

- first of all, vaio control center is limited: the threefinger slide is reverted and I found in this topic someone could fix this by searching in the options. But I could not find any. MOREOVER there is the option of disabling the touchpad.. but it can't be disabled! Even if I move the slide to OFF it comes back to on automatically...
- the stamina/speed slide is not working. I tought power manager must be installed.. I installed it from 1511 download page.. but nothing changes. No icon is displayed. I installed VAIO CARE but it is not possible to install anything. It says "install vaio update". BUT vaio update does not install since an error says that "there is detailed information missing for your vaio". What crap is going on?

There is an installation for 1512 models: hotkey features. But it doesn't install on my machine because my model is different.
Please anyone can tell me how to fix these annoying problems? HOTKEYS does not work as well!

Thank you in advance!

 

I don't understand what is this UEFI. Is this something imprtant?? I dont think I will be customizing my laptop, so what is use of this thing. Also what is this mod BIOS thing

 

Also, can you comment on sony's reliability. I mean, how is the brand. I dont like going to service center again and again and would like if it exists for at least 4 years without much problem.

 

Slightly faster boots on windows 8

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2

 

Hey I'm new here and I'm wondering if you folks might be able to help me out. I recently purchased a Sony Vaio a couple of weeks back. S series of course. It's my second Vaio I've owned after having been pleased with a previous S model a few years back. I've enjoyed it so far, but there is one thing I wish I could either understand or fix about my new model. It's the automatic dim feature the model seems to have. There seems to be two features to this. The first one was more annoying as it would randomly adjust the brightness level based on the actual lighting in the environment. It took me a while, but I fixed that by going into Sony Vaio Control center and turning the automatic display brightness function off. So I thought everything was fine.

But then, something less annoying, but still sort of an issue remained for me. And that is what I'm here to talk about which is the automatic dim and brightening feature that seems to occur if there is an overall bright or dark image that takes up the majority of the display. For instance if you are browsing a website with a black background, the screen automatically dims slightly. If you have something where the majority of the display is very light white the screen automatically brightens to adjust. I understand this approach and I guess it's better for one's eyes, but there are times where I want my full brightness on full blast regardless if I'm browsing a website with a black background or whatever. I don't want the display to safely adjust or whatever. I already tried checking the brightness levels on my computer when this occurs and it doesn't change at all. Regardless what power plan I have this occurs. If the brightness says 100%, it won't change, but this effect still happens for some reason. Like I said it isn't as annoying as the first issue where the brightness just randomly changed almost constantly, but at the same time I still want to control whether my display changes at all. And this has happened when it is plugged in. I can understand this happening when on battery (I wonder if even then can it be changed though), but when it's plugged in it shouldn't do this.

EDIT: Okay so I unplugged my adapter cord and plugged it back in and the effect seems to have stopped for now as I've been testing switching back and forth between dark and bright screens. Still, I do want to know if this is an effect that is supposed to work just while on battery and/or if it I can adjust it if need be.

I'd really appreciate it if you guys could give me a hand. Thanks.

 

Has anyone found a 1080p LCD that will work with the SVS13? I tried the 13.1" screen from the SVZ but they use different cables.

Any clues or possibilities would be great!

Ness, this sounds like the backlight is adjusting according to the displayed picture. If you have the hybrid graphics card you can adjust the 2D settings in the NVidia control panel for best performance. Also, what model SVS and operating system?

 

In the main sony forum there is a thread with complete instructions for modding the s13 screen.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

What is wrong with Fedex? The tracking for my s15 is all over the place...

- 5/14/2013 - Tuesday
2:39 am
In transit
SENNAN-SHI JP
- 5/13/2013 - Monday
10:24 pm
In transit
NARITA-SHI JP
4:54 am
In transit
SHANGHAI CN
3:59 am
International shipment release - Import
MEMPHIS, TN
12:01 am
In transit
SHANGHAI CN
- 5/12/2013 - Sunday
9:12 am
International shipment release - Import
MEMPHIS, TN
- 5/11/2013 - Saturday
11:46 pm
At local FedEx facility
SHANGHAI CN
11:04 pm
International shipment release - Import
SHANGHAI CN
- 5/10/2013 - Friday
7:24 pm
Left FedEx origin facility
YANTAI CN
1:17 pm
Picked up
YANTAI CN
1:48 am
Shipment information sent to FedEx

 

Even with the elusive Intel GPU power saving option disabled that causes this, I've had it happen at random a handful of times, instantly fixed by replugging the charger

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2

 

Ordered this laptop today.. Is it a good idea to make a fresh installment of window on it first, to get rid of useless softwares by Sony??

 

Yes, where did you order it from ?