Official Sony VAIO P-series Owners thread

Hi All,

Yesterday I install on my new Vaio P11Z Windows 7. Everything working well but today I saw I have not power schemes (plans) in power management ie. 'Vaio optimized' or 'Vaio maximum battery'. Of course I installed Vaio Power Management.
Any idea what is wrong with my installation?

UPDATE: Solved - Installed Vaio Power Management wit Admin rights

Best wishes

 

Great.

Do we have any ideas about the specs?

Thanks god, I didn't buy the P one week ago that I was close.

 

Could be this a new platform for the P?

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/14/intel-unveils-atom-based-queensbay-system-on-chip-in-car-infota/

 

Can anyone save me a ton of time by pointing me to solutions to the many problems I'm having? It's hard for me to do it myself - I'm touring the US by bicycle and don't have a whole lot of access to power outlets or wifi.

I recently got a P688E (2 GB RAM, 1.33 Mhz and 64 GB SSD). I LOVE IT!! It was shipped with Vista but I did a clean install of W7 Ultimate. Performance on the whole is good, now that I've stopped lots of W7 processes, switched off paging, no fancy Windows theme or pretty graphics and I'm playing videos with GOM. I hope these are all good choices?

Here's my list of things I haven't fixed yet:

1. Crummy playback of some wmv files. With GOM the video is choppy, with VLC it's blurry.

2. Awful playback of youtube vids.

3. Fn keys don't work. Neither do the pair of special P series keys to the right of the 'mouse' keys.

4. I have no apps at all that work with the GPS. It worked with the bundled copy of Streets and Trips 09 when I had Vista, but when I did the clean install of W7 I wiped ST and neither MS nor Sony would give me another copy. (Thanks.) I downloaded an ST09 trial from a cnet.com page, but it won't run any more. Even when it did I couldn't get it to recognise the GPS. I can't even uninstall it now. When I select Launch Navigation in the SmartWi Connection Utility, all I get is an error msg about a ST2009 licensing problem. When I go to Location and Other Sensors on the Control Panel it says No Sensors Are Installed at the top of the window. Lower down it says Sensor Enabled. There are NO options or settings I can modify. (That's just GREAT.)
Anyone got Google Maps or Google Earth working with the GPS? Or Delorme?? Or ST 2010? I'm trying to download a trial of that from MS, but their server is so slow it's going to take NINE HOURS. When you're living on the road and camping most nights this is not helpful.

5. The text in Skype is too small - I can't find a way to enlarge it.

6. The Chrome Autozoom extension doesn't remember my zoom settings. Huh.

I bet nobody is reading this.....if you are, please help me...please please please!

 

Hi Eurostar,
I am not sure if you know this website:
http://forum.pocketables.net/forumdisplay.php?f=83

you can find a lot of information from this. I have p530 and take me a lot of time to figure out how gps work with window 7, however, after a couple days it stops working. I have to reinstalled the wi ultility software and it work again, but then couple days later it stops. I talked to sony support(they alls junk) they said the wi ultility software will come out more update can fix the the gps issues?????(not sure can trust them or not) might be I have to wait till next year???? I quit the gps thing now, so tired of it.
the website I gave you some one really good help you how to fix even with 1080p support:
http://forum.pocketables.net/showthread.php?t=5452
For the youtube, I think still has some problem....I think you have to get lastest version of graphic card, plus beta version of flash???? Not sure about this, because I dont watch youtube much.
I installed window 7 enterprise 32 bit, have no problem with Fn key, not sure what wrong with yours?
I am not sure about skype text: but I change the display from control panel-appearance and personlalization-display to 125%, I read some one can change to 200%(?) not sure. but 125% looks ok to me now.
I don't know about Chrome thing.
not sure it can help you. if you need some more infor. let me know. try my best.

 

Well, according to Pocketables, the refresh should be due next month. I would say whatever the upgrade, the processor should be better and so should the video card. By how much? We will have to wait!

This P is quite a novel product. To me, I see it but I cannot (bad humour) - the font is way too small - yet it still looks attractive to have to carry around. I reckon there is still a market for the P... the price will determine its success.

 

Just a note, these units don't have a video card, and the refresh most certainly won't either. Integrated graphics does not = dedicated video card. You may know the difference, but many potential buyers won't.

 

Quite right, it doesn't have a video card. I did mean the integrated version. Hopefully they improve that side of things.

 

Thanks very much for your help - much appreciated. I will spend some time on the video tips at pocketables.

Sony support have helped me get the Fn keys working (by downloading a utility for Vista!) and the GPS too - it seems I had installed the downloads in the wrong order. Maybe this could help you too - you install the Qualcomm Modem driver, followed by 4 other downloads http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNP688E&upd_id=5249&os_id=48 After I got the GPS working I still had problems with it a day later - Device Manager didn't show it at all. So I reinstalled Smart Wi Connection Utility yet again - that fixed it.

I got Streets and Trips 2010 from a file sharing site - OK it's piracy but given that I paid for ST2009 when I bought the laptop and MS wouldn't replace it for me, I don't feel quilty. It works great with the GPS now. And so does Google Maps. I get quite fast acquisition of satellites, sometimes even indoors.

As for Skype, I have the text at 133% - any bigger and you start to lose the ability to click OK and Cancel in dialogue boxes. In Skype 133% is not enough - sometimes the text shrinks to nothing when you have a typed 'conversation.'

 

Thank you for pointing me the "Qualcomm Modem driver". some reason I don't know why the p530 in sony web doesn't have this driver. I will try the p688 driver, hopefully couple days later, the gps still works. My gps worked and got a signal very well however, couple day later i can't turn it on from Wi ultility.
I have a question would like to know: My p530 battery has problem, I turn off the computer with fully charge, after 3 days the battery drain down to 20%. I test with put computer on sleep or hiberated, still the same thing. only if I take the battery out then I don't see any drain.Do you have this problem? I also see a lot people with vaio Z has this problem too. I don't know you or any one in here can fix it. I talked to sony support, they can't fix it. any one here can help????

 

Hey guys,

The new P is due out very soon! Check out the teaser:

Engadget Sony teases VAIO Ultra Mobile, Clippy chuffed (Update: new VAIO P) -- Engadget

 

Great, can't wait for the specs!

I wonder what the orange colour means...

 

Isn't " very soon" a bit optimistic, or is there something about Sony which makes you think that from teaser to availability is less than 6 months?

 

Let this thread not go into oblivion. Someone who has any experience with the new P series?

 

Hi!
My girlfriend has a Toshiba Satellite A200, the main specs are below:
• Platform Technology Intel Centrino Duo
• Processor Intel Core 2 Duo T5300 / 1.73 GHz
• Multi-Core Technology Dual-Core
• 64-bit Computing Yes
• Data Bus Speed 533.0 MHz
• Chipset Type Mobile Intel 945GM Express
• Cache Memory
• Type L2 cache
• Cache size 2.0 MB
• RAM
• Installed Size 2.0 GB
• Technology DDR2 SDRAM - 667.0 MHz
• Storage Controller
• Storage controller type Serial ATA/IDE 5400 rpm
• Storage Controller / Serial ATA Interface Serial ATA-150
• Video
• Graphics Processor / Vendor Intel GMA 950 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 3.0
• Max Allocated RAM Size 256.0 MB
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

She is always complaining of how slow heavy it is. And she’s right, it weighs about 2,5 KG and I have used it and it’s S L O W ! To be fair it is probably loaded with crap but she has lost the recovery CDs so I can’t do a clean install for her.

Her birthday is coming up and she is going to university in September, so I was thinking of getting a Vaio P to REPLACE her old Toshiba. She needs something light and compact to take to lectures, the library etc. It will be used mostly for research and writing essays etc.

The model I would get is the new 2010 one (model number VPCP11Z9E/B.ES2), with Atom(TM) Z560 (2,13 GHz), 128 GB SATA SSD and 2 GB RAM running Windows 7 Professional.

However, I don’t want to spend a grand on it if she’s still going to find it slow (obviously size and weight-wise it beats the crap out of any other laptop), so my question is: is the new Vaio P likely to perform better than the Toshiba she has now, especially for using internet and office. I can see on paper that the Vaio P has SSD and a faster processor at 2,13 Ghz, both of which should make a lot of difference, however I am no expert and know that these are not the only things to be taken into consideration.

Any comments / advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

 

I have both a P and an X and hardly ever use the P because of the very small screen and keyboard. They both weigh about the same. You can wait for the US X to reappear or get an X from Canada or somewhere else.

 

selekkkkka,

I don't think your girlfriend would be happy with the P because the processor is slower than the Toshiba that she currently have. According to Passmark software, the C2D T5300 scores 878 CPU marks. The Z550 @ 2.0Ghz (which is one step down from the Z560) scores 386 CPU marks. I have the P with the Z530 processor and it scores 298 CPU marks. It is dog slow compared to my C2D P8400 HP laptop. Switching between applications is very slow. But the P comes with portability and a good conversation piece. Everyone comes over and ask me about it. I mainly use it for taking notes and that serves my purpose. Videos for website is too slow unless I crank up the performance, but then I won't be able to use it too long due to shorten battery life.

Good luck!

 

As a postgrad student who has used a 10.6 1200x800/12.1 1200x800/11.1 1366x768/11.6 ?/ 13.3 12800x800.

I would say that the Vaio P would not be comfortable at all to use for long durations to do study or office work.

Really a 12.1 1200x??? -13.3 1200x800 is better. These 11.6 ULV notebooks that you see are also easier on the eye to use for long periods compared to a 11.1 1366x768.
It is just a lot easier on the eye when you have to use your notebook for long durations to do study.

The Vaio X might be ok but having a notebook that size now i like using my 13.3 notebook best if i'm going to using it to read/write for long periods.

The Vaio Y is one to consider, also is the Vaio S series.
The ULV processors that the Y series has is also a lot better than the atoms and performance will be better all round.

About the Vaio P though.
I think that the price of these duty free will probably be no cheaper than what you can get them for when they go on sale so it might make sense for me to wait a while.

This is a review of the Vaio P. Trusted Reviews didn't seem to like it much. I thought the review was maybe a little harsh. It is the price that seemed to let it down for them the most though.

Sony VAIO P Series (VPC-P11S1E) Review - Laptop Reviews - TrustedReviews

 

Man, talk about being late to the party. That review came out after the P's had already been cleared out. I'm still kicking myself for missing out on the $200 P's not once but twice.

 

Huh? This review is of the new version of the P series. It's only been available for a few weeks. Easy to spot - the old one didn't come in lime green. And the case is a different shape. And it has a mini trackpad next to the display.

And when has a P ever been available for $200?

 

The new vaio P has bigger battery too - 2500mAh vs 2100mAh (older model). Even in the specs, Sony now claims 4 hours of runtime.

source

 

I have returned my old P, the 1.6G, SSD with Vista was pretty slow.
Now I consider to buy the 2.1Ghz or since today the Toshiba W100.
Are there any benchmark, how fast the u5400 will be ?

 

Just install Windows 7 ) I could not say my P is slow for web, books, watching movies etc. I have 1.3 + SSD.

 

Well, I started using my envy much more than my p530, so I sold it for $600. Yay.

 

You sold it for a great price. Good for you

 

Hey Lisa, haven't read your review yet, and I have the old 1.33 Ghz model, so what I'm about to say is probably redundant, but I can live with the display (which I have to as the P is my only computer) without messing with the resolution. My tips:

- increase the Windows text size to 133% (the max you can have without losing the ability to click 'OK' in some dialogue boxes)
- keep hitting Ctrl + with web pages
- use a 12 point font in Word
- switch on Clear Type in Fonts, and adjust it nicely

When Skyping I sometimes have to resort to the maddening Sony magnifying glass thing. Other than that everything is peachy. And I do not have 20/10 vision!

 

Yes, I'm familiar with the tricks since I too had the first gen P. I'm betting you're younger than I am and probably have better eyes . It's usable, just as was the old model, but I'd really hate to have to use it as my only computer-- you're amazing!

 

Hey Lisa, Kamal DS from GadgetMix.com here. I own the 60GB HDD, Atom Z520 1st Gen Vaio P and I tell you what - the Windows 7/Vista are the main culprits. I have loaded the nlited version of XP and it is at par with my 12.1-inch Asus Eee 1201T AMD Neo-powered netbook (running Windows 7 Ultimate), at least in terms of speed.

I had a chance to play with the new Vaio and to be frank, I did not like the new keyboard. May be it is just me but the new keys are a bit stiff. Also, the left and right click buttons make loud sounds when pressed. This is not the case with my (old) Vaio P

 

Hi Kamal! Personally, I am so tired of Windows XP that I really don't want to put it on any machine. Win7 for me.

 

I've disabled lots of Win7 services and the performance is OK for me now. No way would I go back to XP. But I wish there was a really thorough, trustworthy guide to speeding up Win7 somewhere. Everyone knows about ditching the search and the indexing and the fancy graphics and Windows Themes. But I've also disabled Windows Firewall, Defender and Security Centre and about ten other things. Does that help much? I have no idea. And what about the size of the paging file? Do you even need one if you have an SSD and 2 GB of RAM? I could try to test this, but I wish someone better qualified would do it.

Another question is what to do with the 8 GB recovery partition? My P Series was preinstalled with Vista but I've done a clean install of Win7 - so is the recovery partition redundant now? Can I use it for storage?

 

Windows 7 loves RAM and thus I won't suggest completely disabling the paging. However, if you run XP on your P with 2GB RAM, you can go for it. Check out my article on setting up RAM disk and moving (temp) contents to it. I wrote it for the Eee 701 which had Garfunkel 4GB SSD but works for any laptop out there.

Regarding the recovery partition - yes, it is safe to delete it and use it as a storage. I have installed Linux Mint 9 on that partition.

 

Sorry for the late reply, but the X is 1kg, the P is 635 grams. That's a huge difference.

 

Now, I wanted to share my experience with running Linux (Xubuntu Lucid, but does not matter much) on the Vaio P. The instructions on https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupportComponentsVideoCardsPoulsbo work well for, I use the beta drivers, work great. My --working!-- xorg.conf is at Section "ServerFlags" Optio - Anonymous - ERbhjYWG - Pastebin.com . I am not 100% whether the Option "AccelMethod" "UXA" is necessary or cargo cult. It works, anyways

Then run http://kanotix.com/files/fix/mplayer-vaapi-latest.txt this script to get 720p accelerated video. Given this script fetches patches from the mplayer mailing list I am fairly sure there is absolutely no other way to get 720p accelerated video working... Bleeding edge, eh. But, hey, I can watch HD even in the tighest economy seating where the T400s would not fit easily especially if the schmuck sitting in front of you tilts the seat back.

 

Oh and I forgot to say, there is a bag specifically made for the Vaio P but it's impossible to find with Google because the product page does not mention Vaio, only "Sony P" series (I was googling for ipad bags when I found the company and browsing there I found it). As I am not a spammer I won't post a link. Google for CNS355 Sony in case you are interested.. I have ordered a Zeroshock sleeve from eBay and the Vaio P inside the sleeve still fits inside the bag. It's airtight but it fits.

 

Can someone tell me about the VGN-P799? Which atom is it using.?I would like to know who manufactures the 256gb SSD in it and I would like to get the specification of it. Most important, does that SSD support trim? Thanks in advance.

 

I just purchased a used green vaio P for 350 euros. Is very slow with Vista, and I tried to install W7 with an USB stick but it doesn't boot with it. Does it boot with XP?

What do you suggest? W7 or XP with a 1.33 ghZ Vaio P?

 

I forgot to ask, is it worth it to buy a used, but excellent condition, of it for $700?

 

I have Sony P49 (Asian model), which I upgraded to 256GB SSD... the model is Samsung MMDPE56G8DXP-OVB Its acutally a bit faster than my stock 128gb according to crystal disk

 

I would choose W7 because it's reliable and much better supported with downloads from Sony etc. But the 1.33 MHz models are slow with every OS, unless you spend time tuning the system, disabling services and so on. I have W7 on my P-688E and it seems fine to me. I have tweaked it a lot though - it used to be much slower. But you'll never get great performance from a 1.33 MHz Atom - be realistic.

For tuning info read this thread, go to the Pocketables forum and be prepared to spend several hours playing around. It's worth it. If you work at it you'll get double or triple the value from your P series. It requires commitment!

I installed W7 from a USB. It was easy. There must be something wrong with your W7 ISO or your installation procedure.

Don't go with XP - it's a dead end.

By the way, it's no use telling us the colour of your system. We need the model number.

 

After running my Z520 1.3GHz VAIO P with Windows 7 for around 4 months, I ultimately installed Windows XP nlited edition and could not be happier. It has finally become a useful tool now.

If you do not agree with me, try both of them yourself and I am sure you will later settle down with XP

 

I have the european P11Z with 1.33 ghZ and 60 GB HDD. I know that I can't expect a lot from Atom, but I want to make the machine decent enough to open a web page instantly. Now, with Vista is really slooow!
I don't know what I did wrong, but if you google Windows 7 in a Vaio P, you will find plenty of users that failed to install W7 from USB. I am between XP and W7, I think XP will make the P more fast, but in the other hand no new drivers for XP...Does 3G and GPS work with XP?

 

My Vaio P (P13GH) is same as yours but lacks GPS and 3G. You can check out the step by step guide at THIS link. Everything else works

 

i get a error message while installing of the globetrotter gps network card. in smart network i cant disable the gps and there will no device shown. how to get it work correctly? windows 7 7600 home premium. fresh install on vaio p31zk

 

Thanks Rachel, and also gnimble and paradisoDark.

Totally agree with you on they say about the P. Giving it a negative review because the price is in their opinion too high is crazy, especially when it's something as unique as the P (there isn't really anything comparable on the market), plus, maybe the person reading the review is a millionaire or has been given the option of having the laptop of his/her choice for free (as a present or for work for example). In these cases, whether it costs 20 quid, 200 or 2000 is irrelevant. I’ve seen people Saying similar things of the Z. What do you expect from a top of the range machine, which in my opinion cannot be beaten by anything in its price range?!?

Anyway, rant over. You are right, the screen of the P is too small for prolonged use, although it is lovely ironically for the same reason, its size (I was lucky enough to be able to try one out)! The X would also possibly be uncomfortable after a while and I was also not happy about performance in the 5 minutes I was able to test it. Those atom processors seem pretty damn sluggish! Still, pretty amazing what they’ve packed into that super slim chassis.

In the end I opted for the Y and yesterday was unboxing day, so far very impressed and it beats the crap out of the old Toshiba in everything so far... Seems like a good compromise between performance and battery life, hopefully she’ll be able to take it to uni and get a day’s work out of it without the need to bring the power adaptor... No biggie if not though – the adaptor is tiny!

Thanks again for the sound advice.

 

hey i`m new to the forum but i just got myself one of the sony vaio p series and i got to say, i am pretty impressed. the model i`m using is the p signature with the 2ghz atom processor and 256 ssd and i just wanted to say this has got to be the best umpc i have owned and i have used quite a few. i just sold my fujitsu u810, fujitsu u820, htc shift, oqo 02 and also my sony ux180p which i have been using for the last 2 years but i always thought that it was pretty sluggish when it comes to starting up windows as well as loading times for applications and programs. the p series has one of the best keyboards i have used for typing for such a small laptop; it sort of reminds me of using the bluetooth mini mac keyboards and the quality of the craftmanship on this device is superb. i actually didnt expect this to have 2 usb ports since all my other ones only had 1 due to the size and the only way to get more then 1 usb port was to buy the optional docking station. anyways, just wanted to point out the pros and cons for the sony vaio p 2ghz.

for the pros:
- this computer handles windows 7 os very smooth and fast just as if i was on my desktop.
- it takes about 30 seconds to boot up from start
- battery life is amazing. if i set it to medium brightness, i get about 2 hr and 45 minutes with a full charge and i get about 6 hours with the double extended battery.
- screen resolution is amazingly bright, crisp and sharp
- keyboard layout is very natural and ergonomic.
- watching videos on youtube, windows media player, flv, zune, itunes is smooth and lag-free
- i can finally browse the web with firefox and use multiple tabs without having the computer slow down as well as scroll smoothly without any hangup.
- great data transfer speed via usb 2.0 and also data speed via wifi. i get about 1700kb/s when i download files just as if i was on my desktop.
- webcam on this thing is very clear and not blurry whatsoever.
- the unit is VERY quiet with the ssd. i would actually not even notice if the computer was on or not
- and lastly, i love how all the drivers from sony are very easy to install and find unlike the other umpcs i used where i had to go to forums just to get drivers for xp, vista and 7

and now for the cons:
- the sony vaio p tends to get a little bit hot underneath after using 2 hours of use
- i wish the screen was touch-screen like my other umpcs i have used
- speakers could be a bit louder but i am pretty content with the sony noise-cancelling earbuds that came with it
- i hate how you have to but the vga display port adaptor instead of having it included
- i wish they would make a model for the p series that has illuminated backlit keyboard like the new macbooks and dell adamo laptops.

anyways, i just wanted to give my two cents for this unit. i have been using it for 2 days now and absolutely love it! i bought it on ebay for $850 shipped. cheers!

 

I have ordered a P788K/Q, which was on sale, but am already thinking about upgrading it with a Runcore ZIF 1.8 SSD (It comes with a 64GB SSD).

Questions :
1) Views about the Runcore 128GB ?
2) I know that the Sony P SSD models come with a ZIFF to SATA adapter. If I remove this adapter, will the Runcore be able to connect directly to the P788K, or will I require some other connector (that maybe comes with the 1.8 inch hard drive models) ?

 

I see that no shops in the UK other than the Sony store seem to sell the latest P series. It seems that Sony is keeping a very tight reign of the prices.
I was thinking may be i could get one cheap in the UK when these models are refreshed but i guess not.

 

I ordered the P788K for USD650 from the USA.

It's 1.6GHz, with a 64GB SSD, 3G, GPS, 2GB RAM, Win7 Home Premium.

I will install a sim slot, I believe that it is possible to get the 3G working with HSDPA.

Just think that the SSD will be too small.

 

Yeah ,I went ahead and ordered a P788K/Q Vaio too,was sooo looking forward to trying it out,mine unfortunatly has a super grainy LCD Panel,it is quite aweful actually,So much for the theory that Sony manufactured LCD panels are better than the competition,because of this I don't even like to use the P now
Overall though it is much more responsive than I was expecting

 

Sony is changing their philosophy. Even they plan to introduce ODM models- they will neither engineer it nor produce it.
Sony Drops Japanese Made Netbook Display For Chinese Product - Smarthouse