Official 2012 T Series Ultrabook Owner's Lounge

Figured there's got to be a few other people out there who have the new Sony T13 Ultrabook.

Got mine today. Fan runs a lot, but it isn't "that" bad. It would be nice if they would release a BIOS fix. Keyboard will take a little getting used to since the travel is pretty short, but it's nice to have a full sized keyboard for the first time in 4 years (went from one netbook to the next).

Touchpad is also taking a little getting used to as well. Not used to having the integrated buttons and all.

Seems pretty fast too after removing the included apps. Photoshop seems to work similar to my desktop.

I'm thinking about formatting and installing Windows 7 on the SSD though

 

Got the T13 w/ 128G SSD.

I find it actually a lot faster than my previous Z1. My only complain is the LCD was too bright and shiny but after buying a anti-glossy screen protector, the surface finish of the screen was a lot similar with my older Z1 (semi glossy and matte).

Really impressed with the performance and build quality. In regards to the fan noise, I was only bothered by it within the first week of usage. After which, the fan now rarely roars under regular usage. Really weird, I don't know if it is just a break in issue but I am glad my unit is quiet.

Last thing, battery could be better. Did not expect this short battery life for an ultrabook. But then again, its good that battery drain was eliminated not like with my older Vaio Z.

 

just got mine yesterday.

yea definitely need to get used to the integrated touchpad.

is there a way to remove the vaio toolbar? its really annoying me

like it so far though!

 

Yea, I have the same feeling on the fan. It'd be great if the problem wasnt there, but ppl do make too much a of a big deal out of it though. I'm hoping that bios gets released, but i doubt it..sony never listens. It'd be really great if someone could release a hacked bios or something. I've seen a lot of thsoe around for toher laptops =/

 

Hello!

Someone owns the T11?

Are on this UB the HDD, Ram, Wifi card replaceable? Is the display enough for daily usage?
Hows battery life and does the fan runs on the 11 series the same on the 13 inch ones?

 

hi

i do own the following configuration:
i5-3317
8gb ram
128gb ssd

yes they are. The wifi card is standard mini pcie (Atheros AR9485 in my case). depending on the configuration you will get a ssd(f.e. 128gb) or a combination of hdd and a mini-sata ssd(500gb + 32gb). ram and hdd can be accessed very easy.
thise videos could be interesting to you:
Sony Vaio T Ultrabook: External Hardware Review (Part 1) - YouTube
Sony Vaio T Ultrabook: Internal Hardware Review (Part 2) - YouTube

good enough for me, but not a competition to a costly device like asus ux21e. in the end you get what you pay for.

4h to 5h of "norml" working, which in my case is a mix of programming, surfing the web and writing mails.

there is a "fan issue" with both the 11 and 13 inch devices. The fan is configured to kick at very low temperature (about 44 celsius), which means the fan blows nearly constantly. I would not recommend bying a T-Series device at the moment... at least not as long as Sony is doing nothing to fix this issue.

 

yea the loud fan starts to kick in around 44-46 celcius. On lower degrees the fan i still on but you cant hear it unless u put it close to your ear.

 

Is the fan roaring comparable to the VPC-Z11? Because when the T is more silent than this air blowing monster, than it will be okay for me

 

hi Valnar,

correct me if i am wrong... does not vpc-z11 bares a core i7 (standard voltage), which implies heat and fan noise? Of course it implies a lot of performance too, so you get something in return for the fan noise, which is not true for the T-Series.

But i do not think you seriously consider switching anyway

 

No it is for my girlfriend
I don´t care for the performance, only how loud it is...

 

From what I've heard regarding other Vaios, Picture Motion Browser runs in the background, indexing your entire hard drive and keeping the CPU above the usage % required to trigger high fan RPMs. Once it's done with that (or once you uninstall it), the fans ease off.

I think I remember this coming up with someone's Vaio S last year.

 

this is not the reason for the fan issue with the T-Series. cpu usage is between 0% and 3%, when the fan kicks in. The cpu temperature is about 44C. The problem occures with the shipped windows 7 (incl. software from sony), a clean windows 7 (drivers from sony support website installed) and linux.

Every machine i had in my hands (both the 11 inch and the 13 inch) had this issue.

 

Today the T11 for my girlfriend arrived. I really like this little machine. The T feels much more solid build than my Z ;(

For the fan issue. I do not find it that bad.
Today I tried Left 4 Dead 2 with High Details, 2 1080p Youtube vids, opening word and firefox and the T11 was deadly silent.

I do not know why you have such a loud fan

 

One last question. In the Hardwarereview videos he states that it is a standard notebook sodimm RAM Slot.
But Which Ram should I buy? I want to buy a Kit with 2 4GB modules... Can someone help?

 

4GB is soldered to the motherboard. There is 1 slot for up to 4 more GB

 

Okay the RAM upgrade will be done in some days

A new question: When I upgrade the HDD with an SSD where I have to set the hibernation stuff? Can I just letz the Hibernation Partition on the cache SSD and use the new SSD for windows etc. Will the Rapid Wake work with this configuration???

Maybe someone can tell me

 

Hi there.
I'm from Brazil and I just got the i5 version (SVT13115FBS model).

First thing I did:
- Created ghost images from 320GB disk and 11Gb SSD disk (32GB SSD but only 11GB visible from ghost and Windows).

Next step:
Windows 7 fresh installation to remove all Sony's crapware.

Booted with Windows 7 USB installation and NO Disks available for Windows 7 installation!
Going to check this ...

 

All right.

What I did:
- removed the HDD (320GB 7mm);
- entered the SSD 32GB RAID utility (crtl+I);
- deleted the RAID0 partitions and turn the disk to a Non-RAID disk;
- booted with Win7 USB installation and installed a fresh operation system without all the sony crapware (32GB available for OS);
- add the HDD back to the laptop;
- after turn on the laptop Sony RAID utility identified a fault RAID-0 option (normal, since I removed the RAID-0 partitions from SSD);
- removed the RAID-0 setting;
- booted with Gparted and removed the "boot" flag from HDD disk;
- formated the 300GB partition to be userd as DATA files partition (I didn't deleted the SONY recovery and diag partitions, just the one with previous Windows installation);

Now I have a SO running in a dedicated SSD (32GB in enough for me) and 300GB partition for private files.


I have noticed the fan enabled all the time. Not a big issue, but Sony should be more carefull.

 

One question:

Does someone owns a good quality sleeve for the T11? I am searching for some neoprene or equal stuff which is not so flipsy. I want to have big material. Maybe the Crumpler GImp 11 with Mose Effect is good?

 

I'm curious what do you guys use your SVT's for? I notice how slow the activity is in this thread. Low volume of owners? I'm waiting for the next Z4, maybe in January. I saw these SVT's at SonyStyle and they're very nice, but what applications and multi-task use can you push these Vaio T's? Thanks.

 

I use the one from my girlfriend from time to time to do some statistic stuff with r, maxqdata, sas and spss
Even for Office it is a very good machine. I like the keyboard more than on my Z2.

When you do not have the money for the Z the T will be a very good choice!

 

I've been using mine as an everyday computer.

I wouldn't do heavy photo editing on it, but I've done editing on the go with Lightroom just fine. Beats a netbook or lugging a full sized laptop.

Only if they would release a BIOS fix for the damn fan

 

Do you think it can handle ADOBE PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 10 & ADOBE PREMIERE ELEMENTS 10 just fine with net surfing, Powerpoint and Illustrator all open at the same time with 4GB Ram?

 

Well, do you plan on rendering something while this is going on? Even on my quad core AMD x4 desktop when I render something in Premiere, it slows down a bit.

But if you mean just having the stuff open, then yeah, should be fine. I've had Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign and Chrome running at the same time without a problem.

 

I am surprised no one has mentioned the new TouchScreen T series Refresh,the Edge To Edge Gorilla Glass Touchscreen with black bezel underneath is simply gorgeous,also seems to me that build quality is is a step up from sa/sb models
The top tier Touchscreen T comes with intel i7 1.9ghz 256gb ssd (Msata) and 8gb ddr3 memory.The only thing I don't like about it is NO backlit Keyboard,otherwise I am loving it.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/11/3491242/sony-vaio-t-series-ultrabook-touchscreen-pictures

 

i have just ordered a SVT14 for my mother (she just needs a lightweight laptop for everyday use). has anybody been using this particular model? any comments on durability, any hardware issues, any special tweak, software to uninstall, etc.?

also, ProfessorShred, which part of SA/SB's build quality are you complaining about? as far as i know, they're both made out of a magnesium-all, and i've been using my SA for more than a year with absolutely no problem.

 

There was nothing mechanically wrong,it was a matter of "Fit and Finish"
Some products exude quality,some don't,1st I had a SC,sold it and ordered an SB from Sony's website,sold it and purchased an SA
All 3 seemed very cheaply made, i e typical consumer grade,the new T Touchscreen on the other hand is very nicely designed and looks more like a Z in terms of workmanship,take a look at one in person ,you'll quicklly see what i am talking about.

Here is a link to a video showing how to restore Start Menu /Button back to Windows 8 ,and has the new Sony in action

http://cnettv.cnet.com/bring-start-menu-back-windows-8/9742-1_53-50134539.html

 

sorry, but i don't think i can agree with you.

SC was a Best Buy-specific model with lower quality (plastic parts used to lower the price). i haven't used a SB, but as far as i know (from the 2011 S series thread), it was "almost" the same as SA (but with some extra weight; maybe due to lower quality parts, idk?). SA is the absolute best of this line-up, and is entirely made of magnesium-alloy. there is absolutely no keyboard flex in my SA, the display is very securely build, and the bottom panel is also made of magnesium-alloy). it is solid.

VAIO T also looks solid but the bottom panel is made of plastic (not bad per-se), but when we're talking about build-quality, and comparing Z to T ( which should not be done to begin with -- it's like comparing a BMW series 7 with a Peugeot 508 ), then we should take all these into account.

i'm not regretting my purchase of a 14" VAIO T; i'm sure it will fulfill its role completely...just my opinion about T vs S.

oh, and thanks for the info and the video regarding the software. much appreciated

 

Hello, im considerign buying the Vaio T touch with windows 8.
Here i have some important question about the fan noise issue:
1) Does the fan noise issue still affects the Vaio T touch version as much as the non touch one?
2) If yes, does the t11 has the same fan noise problem as the t13?

Thank you!

 

I wouldn't expect you to,Until you go to a Sony Style Kiosk/Store and actually lay hands on the TouchScreen T13,you are totally going to miss my point.I don't care if SA's are made of magnesium or pure solid gold,they look cheesy, like they were made in a 2nd rate Chinese factory,not what I have come to expect from Sony,especially for the asking prices.
The Sony Style I went to had the new Touchscreen T sitting right next to a Z,i spent the $1300 on the T and could just as easily spent more for the Z,Go Look at the i7/256gbSSD model T13,you may just put your SA up on ebay because you'll be drooling so hard for the T

 

first, i will never lay a finger on the monitors of any of my computers. i don't care if Microsoft wants me to do so. i've bought a personal computer, not a tablet.

the T series' industrial design language is basically that of the 2012 S series plus a slight hint of the 2011/2012 Z line-up. the 2012 S design language is just a slight variation of the 2011 SA's. so i don't know how SA looks SO CHEAP while T looks fantastic. maybe the trackpad makes you think so? idk!

and fyi, i won't ever sell my SA for a top-of-the-line Z, let alone for a crippled ultrabook like the T. i value both form and function and want both in my laptop. when i bought my SA in 2011, that was the only thing that satisfied all my requirements in a laptop (form and function). right now, S13A is the only laptop i would buy if i need one (I have ordered the SVT14 for my mother for her everyday use).

but hey...looks are subjective, so to each his own

 

Both the SA and the T were BOTH made in a Chinese factory. The only Japanese-made Vaios are the Z and the Duo.

 

Please reply me

 

hey all
i've recently bought a 14" VAIO T (SVT14) from SONY's online U.S. store and received it today. it was a CTO order, placed on Nov. 14 and shipped on Nov. 16 from Romeoville, IL! shouldn't CTOs be shipped from China? also, there are clear fingerprints and scratches on the supposedly-brand-new machine. i have described everything in this thread [ link] along with pictures of the marks. i'm afraid it was either used before and returned to SONY and later shipped to me or it was a pre-configured machine in their inventory which was downgraded with extra RAM or larger HDD removed (hence the marks and scratches) and sent to me (especially since the MODEL on the FCC sticker on the back is different from the Product Name on the Service Tag sticker.)

i would appreciate it if you could let me know what i should do (contact SONY, return the laptop, etc.). also, could you confirm that those two (MODEL and Product Name) are different or the same on your SVT14's?

 

Of curse you should call them! you need to get what you paid for! End of story not sure what the question is.

I just got the 14inc
SVT14113cxs (windows 8)

Anyways I love it, but anyways Its suppose to have a 32gig SSD. I can't seem to find it in any system or windows or anything...Any help?

 

yeah, i've already called them and have returned the laptop back to SONY. waiting for a call from Tier 2 support for a replacement to be ordered, built, and sent to me.

check the Intel RST (it has an icon in the system tray). it'll appear there.

 

Hello everyone.
I have the t13 svt13126cxs. I was looking to upgrade the hdd to a ssd. I purchased a samsung 830 256gb ssd to replace the 500 gb hdd. I purchased the apricorn cloning kit from amazon but for whatever reason its not cloning the hard drive. does this have something to do with the ultrabook running the 500gb hdd and the 32gb ssd in raid?

If I wanted to how would I use windows restore to install the ssd into the laptop?

At this point I was trying to just do a clean install but Im also running into issues with that. because I can't seem to find the iso for windows 8. I have an disc burned with windows 8 from dreamspark but, its only an upgrade disc and if I try installing the ssd then perform the upgrade, it will not see a copy of windows to upgrade from.

I just need to know what options I have. I'm breaking down and may consider purchasing a copy of windows 8 system builder if I have to.
Thanks in advance for your help

 

Hi i want to buy a new T13 touch but first i want to know if this new model has a terribile fan NOISE loud as the old T13 non-touch...please anyone can confirm me this??

So Fan noise fixed with the touch models?? Thx

 

Just bought the T13 touchscreen. So far, the fan noise is not the problem for me. I can barely hear it running in a quiet room unless I put my ear an inch next to the keyboard. The fan runs a little louder when all the intake vents under the laptop are blocked but even so, the noise is minimal. I have been using the laptop for 3 hours on battery and did not even hear the fan running. Hope it helps.

 

What's the frequency of the ram? When the config has 8Gb, does the ram runs in dual channel?

I would like to balance the choice between 8Gb dual channel and 12Gb in single channel.

What's the Windows Experience Index with i5 or i7 please?

Thanks

 

so my saga with VAIO T continues. after returning the first one due to fingerprints and scratches on a brand new laptop, the second one now encountered a hardware problem!

this is a 14" VAIO T which is less than a week old. tonight, suddenly the touchpad stopped working. the hotkey to disable/enable it (Fn+F1) is doing its job (that is, showing the message "Touchpad disabled/Touchpad enabled" in the taskbar), but it physically doesn't disable/enable the touchpad. in the Keyboard and Mouse section of VAIO Control Center, the touchpad is set to enable as well, but it has disappeared from Device Manager and does not show up under Control Panel > Mouse. a reboot and a full shutdown didn't fix anything, so i took the battery out and pressed the power button for a minute to discharge the capacitors, then started the laptop, and nothing happened; the touchpad is completely gone.

anybody encountered this issue before on their laptops? any solutions?

 

Does anyone have a link for the service / maintenance manuals for the Sony T Series Ultrabook (13")? I'd like to keep it handy in case I need to change out any parts. Thanks in advance!

 

What's the battery life like on the T-series 13" with i5?

 

hi guys,

just joined this forum but been a frequent visitor of this site for reviews.
i just got a vaio t series: SVT11113FGS

as usual, the machine came w/ its own load of bloatwares. i like to remove them since i do not want to go thru re-installing the OS. not just yet.
anyways, here're the list of bloatwares pre-installed on my machine:

Media Gallery
Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 10
PlayMemories Home
VAIO Control Center
VAIO Gate
VAIO Gesture Control
WebCam Companion
Magic-i™ Visual Effects
Remote Keyboard
Remote Play with PlayStation®3
Remote Keyboard with PlayStation®3
Media Go
TrackID™ with BRAVIA
Intel Anti-Theft Service signup (IATS) wizard 10
Trend Micro™ Titanium™ Maximum Security 2012 60days
VAIO Care, VAIO Care Rescue
VAIO Update
VAIO Transfer Support
Norton™ Online Backup 60-day Free Trial


would like to seek ideas on which of these bloaters would seem unnecessary & which would be the important ones...


thanks y'all

 

one other thing... i'm thinking of availing the promo upgrade to windows 8.
has anyone ever updated their 11.6" core i5's to windows 8?... how does the machine perform on the new OS


thanks again....

 

One question of me: Is the fan problem on the newer T11 solved? Or is the fan roaring loud without load? Because I am thinking of getting a T11 for myself for traveling

 

Anyone here have the new T15 model that just launched a short while ago?

 

so far, my fan does not have the noise that I keep reading about.It does heat up at the area especially when I'm working on it or it's running at heavy load.

 

Yes, I have the new T15. Took three computer but finally got one that works. The first one the mouse pad was messed up. The second one the L and K key were smashed in. This one seems to be really cool. There were a few quirks with it at first but updates seem to have fixed them. I only have one question. And i'm sure it's a stupid one. Is there a screen protector that comes on the screen already? It looks like there is a plastic cover over the screen. I started to pick at it and all it did was pull up the edges a little but didn't pull up the screen. I smashed the edges back down but the more I look at it the more it looks like a protective screen. Anyone notice this?

 

How heavy does it feel? How is the battery life on it?