Official Vaio Pro 13 Owners Lounge (SVP13 2013)

Even with the sound fixed by disabling USB selective suspend, we need to ensure enough of us complain to Sony to have them fix this with a new update. It seems to be the only reason they tried with the fan and wifi.

 

Yes. We do. I have complained. And will keep on pressing them about it. I urge everyone else affected to contact them. Its not acceptable we need to keep figuring out what to disable to stop the buzzing sounds

 

I can't reply with 100% certainty because I don't own a Sony. I would suggest calling Sony directly.

However I can't really imagine losing Windows Store Apps because Windows Store remembers everything you are entitled to if you are using a Microsoft account.

But as you said if you don't want to take any risk order the Windows Pro directly from Sony.

 

I sent a follow up email to sony.

I told them I would not be prepared to send my VAIO off for repair at this time, as I had found a temporary fix for the problem..

I also told them that the issue seems to be widespread amongst many VAIO pro users, and directed them to this forum.

Whether or not they will take note, is another thing completely. But if there's anyone else with the buzzing sound, who hasn't already contacted Sony, then please do. The more of us that complain, the more chance that they'll look into a proper solution

 

Does anyone have a solution for not working FN keys after clean install of windows 8 ?

FN + F3, F4 and F2 works for volume control fine, but FN + F1, F5, F6, F7 doesn't work at all. Anoying not having brightness control :/

Edit:

Also in Vaio Control Center I've got less options. Fan modes are missing, audio adjustments with clear audio too. Maybe more but that's what I've noticed.

In device manager I've got 2 unknown devices, but installed all available drivers in good order.

First one: ACPI\VEN_INT&DEV_33A0 - Intel(R) 8 Series LPC Controller (Premium SKU) - 9C43 -->it's probably Intel smart connect which i don't want to install

Second one: ACPI\VEN_SNY&DEV_5001

Any idea?

 

I understand the potential problems described on the last few pages are important to a lot of people, but this thread really needs a little more balance.

Personally, I can only repeat that the Vaio Pro is a really great laptop - and after installing the BIOS fix for the fan noise in silent mode, it's basically the best laptop I've ever used. As for high-pitched noise: Never heard it ever since using a BT mouse with my Pro - and it actually wasn't THAT noticeable to start with, imo.

But, yeah. It's a very subjective topic.

 

True that! I tried to add a bit of positive flavor in my previous post, but all i see is hate hate hate due to problem that probly affects some minor % of users (sorry for you guys, it sux to have a bugged product for 1300 EUR but i bet that it concerns only 5-10% of all users).

To all ppl who wonder if its a good idea to buy the sony vaio pro 13 - ITS AWESOME, after installing all automatic updates! Best machine i have ever used and best i have ever seen.

 

Could you please tell me what BIOS update you are referring to and where I can find it?

 

A couple quick questions as I get near to buying..............I cannot find the Pro 13 in any local store to try for myself.

1. How is the keyboard? I returned the Acer S7 because the shallowness of the keys and the less than responsive space bar. After two weeks I still could not get use to it and I made too many mistakes typing.

2. Does the flexibility of the carbon body that some write about bother you? I tend to like a laptop that feels like it will not break.

Thanks for any insight.

 

Ive been running the vaio now for about a month, use it with a sheet battery. Ive had the wifi issue, the BT issue and the fan issue. Wifi has been fixed with new drivers and workaround, bt has been fixed with workaround and the new bios has fixed the fan noise, Its just a great laptop now. I have the screen protector and touch and I do not do that much touch but when I do I no longer get long smudges on the screen, and its has less glare.

 

While disabling USB Selective Suspend gets rid of that high pitched noise, it's also bad for your battery life. I'd much prefer to have the noise than less battery time. I noticed my battery run-time got shorter when I disabled that option. All the more reason to complain to Sony.

The USB selective suspend feature allows the hub driver to suspend an individual USB port without affecting the operation of the other USB ports on the hub. Selective suspension of USB devices is especially useful in portable computers, since it helps conserve battery power. Many devices, such as fingerprint readers and other kinds of biometric scanners, only require power intermittently. Suspending such devices, when the device is not in use, reduces overall power consumption. More importantly, any device that is not selectively suspended may prevent the USB host controller from disabling its transfer schedule, which resides in system memory. DMA transfers by the host controller to the scheduler can prevent the system's processors from entering deeper sleep states, such as hibernate.

 

From what I've seen, it looks like these units have the Samsung mSata SSDs? Is it possible to field upgrade a 256GB SSD to 512GB?

 

Let's not confuse the readers: WiFi may have been fixed to your satisfaction specific to the wireless environment you are using, but its far from "fixed" in comparison to other fully functional products.

 

I haven't used the S7 before but the travel if quite comparable to my previous S13A and I have no problems typing, with all key strokes registering no problem for me.

As for flex, sure there is some but in my opinion no where near as much as some people mention, the screen flexes very little for me, less so than my S13A and sure the body has flex, but when I pick it up with one hand on the side, the body does not flex and it is quite solid.

 

How have other people found this had affected battery life?

I haven't noticed a difference..... Although I'd much rather have slightly less battery life than that horrendous squealing noise. Maybe yours wasn't as severe as some of ours?

I have already complained to Sony anyway, and I hope everyone else affected will do.

 

Yes, I thought too that I hadn't the WiFi issue... till I compared to a 7-year old laptop (detecting 7 networks vs 3...) and not being able to connect at 9 meters away with two walls between me and the router. And when I manage to connect, I cannot download at more than 140 Kbps (!) which is really really low...

The 2.4GHz frequency seems more affected.

 

I returned my replacement Vaio Pro 13 as well. Couldn't stand with the wifi adapter needing a reset every hour! Track pad also often confuses simple swipes as gestures. There's absolutely nothing else out there even close to the Vaio Pro! I'll probably wait until Christmas for Sony to sort the problems out.

 

I have used the sheet battery for the past 2 weeks. It's amazing how it adds almost no heft, but increases the total battery life to 14-15 hours ! I am starting to forget I even own a charger !!!

 

I reported the problem and asked multiple times for it to be escalated to engineers, but I didn't get the impression that anything was going to be done as a result of the information that I provided.

Regardless, it's likely that the problem has been noticed by now, and it will be fixed by using different power components in new production.

 

Is there a way to deactivate the edge swipes (which opens the charms bar) on the touchpad?

I didnt find a setting in the synaptics touchpad options.

Thx

 

I hope that that's true, I ordered my own Vaio Pro yesterday and I hope that it would have all already been resolved.

 

Just came across this message on another forum from someone who was looking at getting a Pro 13 i7 from an online seller from Australia: "I contacted Flingshot about the Vaio 13 i7/256Gb availability and they said they weren't ordering anymore in because a new model was due in a fortnight... Very interesting. If they sort out the technical problems and give us 8Gb RAM, I'm in for sure."

Any one heard any rumours of a model refresh this early in the piece?

Edit: It appears it is to do with making the 8GB model available as was only the 4GB model on offer in Australia.

 

I believe there was a rumor about a refresh with the WiFi antenna in a different location...

 

Anybody tried the new update for Wi-Fi, the N-7260?

 

Well, thats true. But since its fixed for me, there is a high chance thats its fixed for the majority of people having issues with wifi. I do actually travel a bit and just this week I've hit more than 10 different AP's and none have shown an issue. Thus, for me as a frequent traveler its been fixed for my satisfaction.

I do however have one issue still, thats the darn adaptive brightness. After updating the intel graphics drivers there seems to be something happening between intel and sony adaptive settings. Changing this in the registry will work until next reboot, but not longer than that. Does anyone have a workaround for this? Its darn irritating when the brightness changes every second....

 

Simply turn 1 option off in battery plan - don't remember the exact name, but it would be obvious which one is it if you go to the advanced settings in battery plan options.

 

What comparison :?

You will never get a balanced view or accurate picture by reading forums where they do not account for the silent majority who may have no problems

You will always find posts on problems on any product as it's an easy forum for self help

I sympathize with anyone who has issues after shelling out this sort of $ but be it Apple, Sony HP, Audi, Ford etc there are always problems for some owners

Maybe if there were 1000's or 10000's owners complaining like with Apple Iphone antenna scenario we would see Sony reacting differently, if anything they have produced several updates fairly swiftly already.

In the mean time all we can do is help each other with fixes and persuade Sony to assist what probably is a low % of owners with problems

I know this does not help if you are one of the unlucky ones but that's what guarantees, return polices and consumer rights are for I expect there is not one of us who has not had a problem with consumer goods, but unfortunately it's a fact of life

I'm sorry you are still having problems but you should be equally pleased that some of us do not, I hope your issue is fixed soon.

 

It is not in the synaptic options it's in the vaio control centre options, open vaio control centre and then select input device, click details in touchpad operations, then deselect "show charm".

You can technically remove all multi-touch features.

 

Just performed an upgrade from the stock Sony Windows 8 install to Windows 8.1 RTM and all works fine....

 

Does not help, on/off in sony settings I still have adaptive brightness.... Intel does not show such settings, and my power plan says adaptive is off. Thats why I was thinking of a registry fix but I could not find one.

 

Does not help, on/off I still have adaptive brightness.... Thats why I was thinking of a registry fix but I could not find one.

 

Maybe thats an obvious question but have you changed it for both pluged/unpluged situations?

If so, and problem persists, than i'm sorry - changing the option in battery plan fixed issue in my case :/

 

Did you get your hands on the 8.1 English RTM ?? Any chance you can help others like me to get that as well ?

 

What is the difference between Carbon Black and Black? Is it just color or material?

There is a $100 difference in price customizing a machine on the Sony site. ( carbon Black more)

Thanks.

Color:Black
Color:Carbon Black
Color:Silver

 

Yes how did you get hold of 8.1 RTM? Just checked both technet and msdn with no signs of it there

 

Here in Finland , at least in silver and carbon black is touch screen , I do not know how it elsewhere is.

 

At least in the Spanish store the Carbon Black and Silver are the touch screen versions while the Black has a non-touch screen. Check if it is the same in your store.

 

Check the Sony Control Center under Image Quality.

 

Thanks...you are right. When the color "black" is chosen the "touch screen" option is grayed out.

 

To reduce Flickering, try turn off the Power Saving of Intel HD Graphics (Control Panel>Intel HD Graphics>Select “Power” then “On Battery” and turn off the Power Saving Technology). However, if you want to totally eliminating the flickering, Go to Vaio Control Center/Image Quality/Display Brightness and turn off “Set whether to sense the brightness and automatically adjust the display brightness accordingly”.

 

It's off there, and in powerplan for all profiles...

 

And it adds an extra half-inch or so of height for improved ergonomics.

 

I have explained the WiFi performance comparison I made in my earlier post - I have a Vaio Z from 2008 (!) giving me 6x times faster downloads. I appreciate your good intentions, but it looks like you must just have not stressed your wifi to see that the performance deficiency is real. Could you please provide details of your wireless environment -e.g. distance from router, walls etc. to help the rest of us?
I personally am pretty confident that all units are affected, as we have not heard a single report of successful hardware repair. Moreover the repair centres do not typically find / acknowledge any faults which makes me think we are for a long wait on this one.

 

Just got it off a torrent. Official DVD image.

 

So following on from my DOA laptop from a couple of weeks ago I have now received my new Pro. I've gone for the matte screen, i7, 256gb with 8gb ram.

It seems that most people have gone for the touch option and there's not many details anywhere online about the matte screen so I'll give you my thoughts (after a couple of days of use). The screen looks great, no reflections and still usable in bright conditions. I've come from a glass screen laptop and this is a huge improvement. The frame of the screen isn't entirely stuck down, although this one is better than the laptop that I had to send back, I suppose the best way to describe it is having a ruler on a table and being able to pluck the center of it up by a couple of millimetres.

The only other issue is that the light on the screen isn't completely even unless you're at the right angle, otherwise a flat colour on the screen looks like a gradient.

Also, +1 for adding a sticky post with links to the right drivers.. this thread is way too long to find out which drivers to use, what the side effects are etc.

 

Hi, there. Does anyone knows why my Vaio Pro touch screen is not functioning sometimes when the laptop wake up from sleep or from a fresh start. Is there a driver for the touchscreen?

 

I'm sorry I wish I had some recorded data to help your research. As I have no evidence of previous or current WiFi performance to formalize any statistical reference for you other than by casual observation.

It is quite possible that these large (4000sqft) American timber framed houses which are typically with vaulted open plan areas are less susceptible to the problems you may have with typical brick and block construction walls in the UK.

As my previous back up sets were via external h/dive and more recently to my apple time capsule are via file history I cannot say I have any opportunity to time such actions

My only experience with WiFi problems was with 3 story villas in the middle east, but a repeater router solved this

Sorry I wish I could be of more asstance

 

Hello to all.

I ordered on 20 August from the French Sony online store a non-touch VAIO Pro 13 with i7 / 8GB RAM / 256 Go SSD / Sheet battery and Windows 8 Pro. Initial delivery date was planned for 3-4 September and the status of my order on the website actually shows that the machine has been shipped to TNT, though I do not have a tracking number.

However, I received on the 28 August an email informing me that delivery would be delayed by 2 to 3 weeks, which I find quite substantial. Has anyone else experienced / is experiencing a similar situation?

 

Hi abergon!
Exactly the same situation here! Orderd on 18th of August and still waiting for my Pro (i5 128GB non touch, W8). Iam also get the information that my Pro is already shipped by TNT but can't find any Trackingnumber. Because of that I contacted the Sony Store Team by E-Mail. They said my Pro will be shipped on the 2th of September (the information in the "My Sony" is false... i.e. we will get an E-Mail when TNT has picked up our devices at the Sony Production hall).

PS: Sony told me that TNT needs 5 Days for delivery

 

Correct! For me it took about 3-4 days receiving the TNT shipping email after it was claimed in my Sony account that it would be shipped. Honestly, I hope for you Sony takes the time to work on the issue with the Pro.
I had ordered the Pro, i5, 256, touch, but had to send it back right the next day. Almost no WLAN speed, although being close to the router and the Pro said excellent connectivity; in addition I tried 2 different networks, problem remained. Fan was too noisy & disturbing and could not make it silent. I haven´t tried BIOS update or any other weird workaround, I only tried the setting within the Pro. IMO a machine coming with this price should work right away. Apparently some people were lucky and received a good operating model, maybe I received what we call a “Monday” machine, but seeing also very similar feedback on our German blogs/forum my impression is that many consumers are affected and it´s a general issue with the Pro.
What I was additionally disappointed about was that 50+ important updates for W8 were not installed and I could not do that due to the WLAN issue. Hence, feel lucky about the delay, I keep my fingers crossed that Sony finds a solution for the numerous problems consumers have and delivers a working model to you.