Official Vaio Pro 13 Owners Lounge (SVP13 2013)

New WiFi drivers are a big disappointment. They fix NOTHING. In fact, my connection is now ~ 2-3 slower in the same spot than it was before. And about 10 times or more slower than my Lenovo carbon X1 and my Iphone 4s.

 

I've got a new problem, started last week, cannot understand why.

I turn the computer "off". I charge the battery overnight. I get to work, turns out I don't need the Pro 13 for the day, I don't use it. Take it home, don't use it. Next day, I get to work, turn on the computer that was charged full with the computer off 48 hours earlier, and I'm down to 70% battery life.

Anyone have any idea why my computer would lose 30% of its battery life in 48 hours on standby after a full charge and after being turned off? Not Sleep, not Hibernate. Off.

TIA

BJ

 

I found the battery indicator to be wildly inaccurate sometimes.
I have battery care enabled. When I initially enabled it, it would still charge my battery beyond 80%. I had to enable/disable a few times in order to get the battery indicator/care to work properly.

Maybe try enabling, then disabling the battery care setting a few times & resetting your Pro. See if that helps.

Could maybe install some software and seeing what processes are draining the battery, but not sure if it'd work if power is off...?

 

Having a very quick google on this, I saw a couple of people mention "connected standby'.
Connected Standby – What is it? What can it do? Overview and Demo « Ultrabook News and the Ultrabook Database

I wonder if this is what is happening with your Pro? Your Pro is 'OFF' but some Apps are still on 'standby' and hence still drawing power?
I only did a quick search, but might be something worth you investigating.

Let us know if you find the problem/solution :thumbsup:

Edit: worth trying this to see where the power is going
http://ultrabooknews.com/2013/05/15...and-check-for-connected-standby-on-windows-8/

 

I am about to buy Sony VAIO PRO 13" (the i5 model).
But there were a lot of mixed reviews about it, one saying that there's a loud fan, some say that there isn't.

Anyway, these reviews were from July, maybe someone has some updates from August? Some nice firmware that solved the issue?

Maybe it was mentioned somewhere in this thread, but 111 pages to read is a bit to heavy for me...

Thanks!

 

Have you simply tried someone else's router just to see if it's an odd compatibility issue ?

 

Your more likely to get a bunch or replies from those that have problems than the silent majority that don't. If your that worried make sure you buy it on sale and return, typically with mail ordered from Sony and evaluate it yourself.

Personally I find it a little aggressive at times to kick in but otherwise it's fine

 

That's a damn good point!
Ideally, I would want to hear from someone who had a problem and it was resolved by an update from Sony.

Could you tell me a bit more when it DOES kick in?
99% of time it will be a regular web-surfing/office usage.

Thanks!

 

There is no connected standby on the pro 13 as far as I know, I think it is only present on the duo 13.

 

Wanted to ask a question for anyone with ethernet adaptor as it confuses me.

I want to be able to plug the laptop directly into a switch, and get a wired connection. It almost looks like this adaptor just creates a hotspot based off the incoming wire, does it do both?

 

Does anybody knows why my Vaio Pro 13 is having this problem where sometimes after fresh boot up the touch screen doesn't work. It will only work after several restart and this is very annoying. Any help is much appreciated.

 

The ethernet adapter creates a hotspot- no wired connection.
Just buy a cheap USB>ethernet adapter if you want wired.

 

The latest update from Sony yesterday hasn't helped with the fan noise for me much. Still kicks in far too aggressively at low temps <50C. This is in 'silence' mode. Put it in normal mode and its worse.

 

Does anyone have the sony ethernet adaptator who creates a hotspot connections ? It work well ?

 

Yes works OK - though still prefer my USB > RJ45 adapter for a proper hardwired connection.

 

(delete please)

 

I'm at university and in my student room I just have a RJ45 cable, no box, it will be ok with this adaptater ? It creates a simple hotpost ? So i can connect my Nexus 7, Nexus 4 and my Vaio ?
But if i would more internet performance you say that I should buy an USB adaptater too ? (USB 2 or USB 3 cause i've some issue with my HHD USB 3)

 

Yes will work fine. From what I can remember you can connect up to 5 devices. It just creates a hotspot.

 

Hi all,


just checked the Sony support website for my country (AUS), and there appears to be a new WiFi driver out

This program will update Wireless LAN Driver (Intel) to version 16.1.3.1 and will resolve the followings:

- WLAN connection is unstable
- File transfer through WLAN issue

Available Downloads:
Wireless LAN Driver (Intel) Update version 16.1.3.1
File name: EP0000306999.exe
File size: 87.7 MB (92,061,696 bytes)


Just wondering if anyone has tried it? I'm on 16.1.0.14 and its working well 95% of the time now, thinking of upgrading but just want to see if anyone might have a warning or a horror story for me. lol

 

My wifi work well for me after this update, and it work's well before the update

 

Buy one, mine's been good as gold.

 

There is a large temperature difference between i7 and i5 on the vaio pro 13 ?

 

Today I got my Vaio Pro 13. The order was made from Sony Store Poland .Paid little more for 30 days return policy and 8 GB Ram and extra battery I got free. My item was shipped directly from the Sony factory in China. So this is the latest copy of the production dated of 18 August. When I start my Vaio I couldn't connect to my WiFi completely. Dropping signal every 2 minutes. Unable to do any updates, settings with internet. Drama ! So I used my $10 WiFi usb dongle. Did all updates from Sony..So far so good...WiFi signal is the similar to my old MacBook Air. Very good... No matter close to my FritzBox router and room 15meters away from router. I do not have any problems with the signal for several hours. Good. Maybe they fixed someting in the factory. I hope.

 

Hey guys I just picked up the Sony Vaio Pro 13 from the windows store and noticed that my SSD drive only has about 70gigs free out of the 128gig hard drive. What is taking up so much memory? Did your guys laptops come like this as well? Is there an easy way to trim it down so we have more storage?

Second question: Has anyone done a clean install of Windows 8? Would you recommend this?

 

If you bought it from the windows store then it should be free of any crapware from sony. On my 256 GB drive, I have 213GB available and 145 GB free. Windows takes up over 20 gigs on my machine. :/

edit, did a sound level check, at idle, high performance setting and silence for fan, the db level was around 20-21db, then playing a 1080p video from youtube, the fan noise was around 50-52db, with the microphone of my phone right by the vent. This is no where near scientific or 100% accurate since it's just an app from the play store but it does give an indication about the noise level, btw, I did this test last month before the BIOS update and here are the numbers with comparison to my old Vaio SA from last year

Vaio S
-ontop of keyboard near vent ~ 48-51 db, ave of 49 db
-infront of vent on back - 79-80db

Pro 13
-ontop of keyboard right above vent - 35-44db, ave of 41db
-infront of vent on side - 57-60db, ave of 59db

 

When I first got my VAIO pro, it was making an intermittent high pitch noise. Disabled Bluetooth in device manager, which made it stop.

However, today, I did this new bios update, and the noise is back. Bluetooth had activated its self, so I disabled it again in device manager, but the sound continues.

Anyone else had this?

 

How easy is it to install Ubuntu and/or Win 7?

 

Yes!! Exactly the same for me!
And it has definitely something to do with the Bluetooth, since if I have it enabled and do a search for Bluetooth devices the annoying sounds stops while searching. But just like you say it no longer works to disable it (after Bios update).

 

I have the same issue with my Pro 11, but I don't think this has anything to do with the Bluetooth device. If I deactivate Bluetooth and search for devices the sound stops nevertheless. I think the Intel HD Graphics 4400 is the reason for that terrible noise, because deactivating/removing it stops the sound. Furthermore it only appears when the screen content isn't changing. If you search for devices there are those moving points indicating that the search hasn't finished yet. That is enough to stop that noise. Same for scrolling or moving the cursor. Also the intensity is changing permanently. Sometimes I can't hear it. Sometimes it is really annoying. Therefore I guess there is an energy saving mechanism or something like that causing it. But I tried all the settings with no success.

Of course deactivating the only graphics card isn't an option here.

 

Hi, I have been using my Vaio Pro 13 for two days. With web and student discounts it was 1077€ (i5, 8gb, 256gb SSD).

I haven't installed any updates as vaio center doesn't haven't found any of them but WiFi is working fine with me (aprox 80% of the speed at home, haven't tried in other places).

The noise was really loud in the first one or two hours after installing but now it's ok. When surfing and similar stuff it's under 50º and there is no noise at all. If watching 1080p streaming video it is around 55º and fan noise is louder, it can be annoying for some people but not as bad as I thought.

I think the main problem is the screen lid. It's ok if you are not touching the screen, but it's not firm enough and when using it the lid moves. I tried to "touch" a non-touch 15" Asus laptop screen and I had the same problem, but, as I haven't used other laptops with touchscreens I don't know if it's always the same. The screen quality is great anyway.

Ah, other "construction" problem I think someone has already talked about, if you push the laptop base under the touchpad it will make a click from below. Altought it won't be recognized as a click, it's not possible to make another click from above while pressed from below . (Sorry if I didn't explanied that properly, English is not my mothertongue.)

Maybe performance could be better? Once I had problems with 1080p youtube video but I tried again and it worked flawless. I haven't used it enought so I am not sure about it yet, just asking if that is possible. I will tell more in the future if anyone is insterested in programming with the Pro, as it will be my main usage.

To sum up, some "minor" problems, but I think the laptop is great anyway, although I prefer to wait and use it for a longer time before recommending it to others. The size and weight are just perfect, I really like the screen quality (when I am not outside and it's sunny, of course) and also like the touchpad (I am used to old non-clicky touchpads), the keyboard is good too. I still don't know about the battery, if it's enough for everyday use I think the laptop will be a good deal.

 

hmm well I wonder what it is about this latest BIOS update that has made this noise start happening again?

if anyone is successful in stopping this noise, then please, do let me know!

 

I'm almost convinced in getting the Vaio Pro 13 since I can return it if something better shows up in 30 days, however I can only receive it by September 11th and need it before September 23rd. I would appreciate very much if you could inform me when you ordered yours, the estimated delivery time and when you got it so I can plan myself. Thanks.

 

Waiting for my pro 13 till Tuesday but meanwhile reading all this comments. Don't know if i'm right but it seems like 3/4 of people here are getting issues becouse of not installing right drivers and incompetency doing in the same time black P.R. for Sony.

Almost every problem was discussed before in this topic and solved.

The only big thing we can worry about is loud fan, but as we can see bios updates can solve this in future.

For all of you who hasn't done clean install of windows I fully recomend to do this and do not install drivers delivered by sony with yours laptop but the newest one you can get online.

 

I ordered mine 16.08.2013.
Online delivery time 21-22.08.2013
Today's delivery time (via sms and e-mail from TNT) 27.08.2013

Mine is coming from a factory in China.

 

this high pitch noise is absolutely ridiculous, its quite loud at times, and keeps changing pitch - reminds me of the noises a modem used to make back in the old dial up internet days.

I'm going to be using my laptop in the university library / lecture halls come September, and this noise is completely unacceptable.

IF I cant get rid of it, I'll be in touch with Sony support. I paid £1,000 for a laptop, and really shouldn't have to put up with this.

Just had a look, and the Sony support number is an 0900 number. shocking!

 

I have got a new problem since the BIOS update.
When I put the notebook to sleep (lid down or manually through start menu) , it turns itself on after a few minutes (power & keyboard led on).

Anyone notice the same problem??

 

Call the standard 0207 sales number and there is an option to speak to support from there. Don't hold out any hope that they will be able to help you though as they are worse than useless!!

 

thanks for the tip. I'll give it a go after the bank holiday if a solution isn't found after then.

I've noticed it seems to do it with darker colours on the screen, more than a screen with lighter colours.

Being useless is no defence... they sold me a computer only 2 months ago, for a substantial sum of money... and as far as I'm concerned, it is faulty. I'm prepared to fight them. If it involves a repair or exchange, then so be it. But I will not let it drop.

 

While there are people here who are not very experienced, rest assured certain issues are genuine and still persist.

Thus the WiFi performance on the Pro is definitely compromised in the areas with lower signal strength even with the latest drivers 16.1.3.1.

One can only see this clearly if there is a reference system to compare to. I get 4x times slower speeds with Vaio Pro 13 than with my old Vaio Z (7Mbs vs 33 Mbs) exactly in the same spot - about 8 metres away from the router.

 

I have received mine last monday (i5/8 Gb/256 Gb SATA/non-touch). I have done a clean Windows 8 install, the hardest part being to find an image for the setup. A shame when they were officialy released for win7.

I divided the Win8 partition to install a Linux Debian (with Enlightenment). I kept the recovery partition, because I think the SSD doesn't have overprovisionning. So this will help to keep a partly unused partition (may trim it later to free everything, as I have backups) to reduce the wearing.

You have to use the lastest kernel to have the WiFi card recognized. Else, everything work.

The touchpad seems more usable under Linux. I can click tapping on the borders, which is randomly not always the case under Windows...

Yet, no issue either with the WiFi nor the Bluetooth. Managed to keep up on the battery during 4 hours while installing/configuring the system. UEFI is a pain

I hope this means that known problems are only driver issues under Windows.

The screen and the sound are sensationnal. The keyboard feels good too.

Despite the fan while in full speed, the laptop is top notch. What I said about fan blades being too thin seems true. They barely create any air flow. So they need to spin faster to maintain the temps.

 

They postponed the delivery? That sucks.

 

I see it this way - Sony only predicts the delivery time by some algorithm on their website, but that can change in some cases. You can only be sure the date TNTsends you (at this point you can also change the day of delivery - of course for later time via TNT website and tracking number you recieved)

 

Hey szycha3h, could you explain how to do a fresh install of Windows 8 on the Vaio Pro or point me to a detailed tutorial? I know how to do Windows 7, but ive heard Windows 8 is a litte different. Also, what site are you getting these updated drivers from? Thank you

 

What's the best way to maximize battery life in terms of leaving it plugged/unplugged...etc?

 

Drivers for example here (USA):
Sony eSupport - SVP1321CPXB - Support

Instaling windows 8 is almost the same procedure as instaling windows 7. The differences are so small that if you could install windows 7 you will also deal with 8. This process takes about 10 minutes till windows configuration screen shows up.

Edit:

Tutorial for installing Windows 8 - youtube link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnUxQ5TJqD0

Drivers for all models listed here - SVP series (Europe)
http://www.sony.pl/support/pl/hub/NOTEBOOK#SVP

 

Thanks man!!!

 

Just received mine today. Not a good start. Ran VAIO update and received an error during the process about not being able to cancel some running process (forget which one). Once all updates were done, I lost my wifi connection. Troubleshooting indicated problem with the wifi adapter. Now running recover to put it back to factory install. Just lovely.

Any tips on the update process? e.g. Any specific order to install - Microsoft updates, VAIO updates, BIOS updates ?

 

How is the i7, 8 GB of RAM model? I know its no beast of a super computer but how well does it do with complex tasks such as encoding? I'll primarily be using it for bioinformatics work....aligning sequences etc.

 

Just to answer myself on this point: I have tested at 9-13 meters from my router, with 2 walls in-between, and that works barely under Windows, and fail to connect under Linux (less tolerant to errors?). The signal strengh is at 50%.

My phone has no issue with only a signal strengh around 30%.

 

Can somebody please test this:

Connect notebook to power cable.
Close lid (while on) to put it into sleep.
Green Power LED goes off after a few seconds.
Does the Power LED go back on again after 3-5 mins?