Official Vaio Pro 13 Owners Lounge (SVP13 2013)

How many free disk space do you have when running first time your PRO? Mine shows 165 GB free of 211GB? I have a 256 GB model. Is that the same by you? I have deleted McAfee and games. What do you suggest to delete more?

 

Very very interested in the SVP13.
Heard a lot of random issues with it, but I believe theres no laptop without its issues and I also believe most issues are software based and can be fixed with a simple software update.

That said, I would like to know should i get the i5 or i7?? I have heard it doesn't make much of a difference performance wise, but like many here, I would love to maximize the battery life as much as possible and would not rather pay more for less battery life.
I will be using the laptop for writing music in Sibelius and doing some light tracking/sequencing on Cubase and maybe some light gaming (TF2, indie games, FTL etc.)

SOOO
1) I want to see some benchmarks/tests showing the difference in i5 and i7 performance
2) Where can I purchase one for cheap (I am in the US)? (coupon codes?)

Thank you!!!!

 

Hi Aj84!
What thermal paste did you use? I have some ICD lying around and would like to use it when i get my hands on this laptop (i never trust stock thermal paste)
Also, I would like to know if theres a website/thread showing step by step dismantling and applying the paste.

Thanks!

 

Also, not every laptop have major issues. If you don't need WiFi to work properly, and always stand next to your router, you should be fine however.

 

hi thanks for sharing.. did the image quality reduced? is the text still crisp? thanks!

 

Since there is no Wiki where we could all edit and collect information we have to do it here.

Update your BIOS prior to doing this. When you install a new OS on your Pro just delete every partition but the Sony one (would be the first one.. i think around 260 MB). This will gain you a lot of disk space.

• Windows 8.1 Driver Installation - Version Number (Newest Version)
  1. Intel Chipset Driver (InfInst) - 9.4.0.1027
  2. Intel Management Engine Interface (MEI) - 9.5.14.1724
  3. Sony Shared Library (SSL) - 6.1.0.02040
  4. Sony Firmware Extension Parser (SFEP) - 8.0.2.4
  5. Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) - 12.8.2.1000
  6. Intel HD Graphics - 15.33.2.3282
  7. Intel CPPC - 1.0.0.0.10
  8. Intel BT - 3.11306
  9. Intel WLAN - 16.1.5
  10. Intel Smart Connect - 4.1.41.2234 (4.2.40.2357)
  11. Intel WiDi Driver - 4.1.14.0 (4.2.19.0)
  12. NxP Semiconductors NFC - 6.1.1.0
  13. Realtek HD Audio - R2.71
  14. Realtek Cardreader - 6.2.9200.28144
  15. Synaptics - just use the original Sony driver or search one on the internet
• Some tips for a clean reinstall of Windows 7 / 8
  • Create a recovery USB stick. Do this via shutdown and then pressing "Assist" on the keyboard. You will need at least a 8GB USB stick. Important: Try if booting of the recovery is working prior to wiping your SSD and do a clean install!
  • Go advanced prior to installing and delete every partition you will find there expect the first one (says something with Sony or OEM. can't remember now)

• Sony Vaio Pro 13 Tips / Tricks / Hacks
  • Change thermal grease
    Open the laptop (some screws under the rubber at the bottom). Remove the heat sink. Clean the CPU and heat sink with alcohol. Apply thermal grease thats dielectric. One of the best greases out will get is Gelid Extreme, Noctua NH-1 and the best of the best: IC Diamond (ICD) 24carat. Don't use Liquid Metal unless you know what you're doing...
    This little "trick" will help you gain better temperatures then with the stock grease so the fan won't spin up too often
  • Gain back some space
    Do a clean Windows 8/8.1 reinstall and delete every partition expect the first one. This will give you some disk space back. Only do this if you know what you're doing or you have created a recovery media (or have access to a Windows ISO file...)

• Sony Vaio Pro Links
  • [New Sony Vaio Pro] Wifi Issue! - Huge Thread over at Sony Community

It is possible to extract most of the drivers with "Universal Extractor". Do this only if you just want the drivers and no software. For me a good example would be the RST driver from Intel: If you extract it, it is possible to only install the driver. So you get rid of the software and all that bloat stuff you will never use. You don't need to use the Sony drivers unless it doesn't work (an example would be WiDi).
I really dunno what the Audio and WLAN reg patches are good for. They change some settings but i think none of these changes are that important.
I also dunno if you need to install the Sony Image Processor. Does anyone know what this thing is good for?

You will get the most recent drivers from:

• NecaCom
• Station-Drivers

You could also have a look at the Sony websites around the world for newer drivers like SFEP, NxP NFC, Touchpad, etc. since they will work for every model. I found none of the drivers is device specific expect Intel Smart Connect (SC) and Intel WiDi.

If you have any information that is important for others to know (links, tips, hacks, etc.) then let me know and i will update this post. There has to be a central place for this kind of information.

I hope this will help other people and please excuse my bad english. Maybe someone could correct this entry? :> (also it's 01:30 AM now)

 

How about a youtube video showing the disassembly and grease application? That would help tons. Thanks

 

My brother picked up a Vaio Pro 13. He updated the Bios via the Sony Update program and got an error before the installation was complete. The computer now will not boot bios, windows, anything - even with assist button.

The only thing he gets ever is the green led light on - the screen is always black and it is impossible to do anything. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Sony acknowledged the problem saying that it has happened to other users. He wants to fix this himself if possible...

This is like the 5th problem he has had with an almost new computer, and it is shocking. This is on top of problems with the trackpad, touchscreen, and WIFI.

Thank you for any suggestions.

 

Maybe some day. But you will find alot of other videos showing how to apply the grease to the die.

Seems like you have to give it back to Sony for exchange. This laptop is dead. Let's all be quiet for a moment

 

I'm sorry to say this... but you shouldn't wipe the complete SSD! Also if you don't know what your doing then don't do it! Why do you convert to MBR? Are you planing to install Linux?

1) Create recovery media. You could also do this via "Assist" button. You'll need at least a 8GB USB Stick. Preferable USB 2.0 since you can't boot of every USB 3.0 stick with UEFI (and Secure Boot) enabled. You don't need to write down the model, service tag number or serial since you can find this information under that little plastic plate in the middle of the bottom. Just rip it off.
2) Correct. If you want to use UEFI (and yes you want that!) it's sometimes necessary to force a UEFI installation boot via OSCDIMG.exe. Just Google on how to create a UEFI only Windows 7/8 installation medium
3) Change nothing. If you can't get your installation to work with UEFI you just don't know what your doing since there is no reason for doing so expect you want to install something like Linux.
4) You don't need to turn off the laptop if you changed something in the BIOS. Just save and reboot. Once again: there is no need for a BIOS boot.
5) Why would i run the recovery console? This totally makes no sense if you want to boot via UEFI. Also: Never ever wipe the complete SSD. Keep the first partition (it says something with sony). You want to keep GPT (don't do a MBR convert.. just plain stupid since you could boot also Linux via GPT). You would normally delete all (expect the first one..) partitions via advanced setup options.

--- EDIT
sry for double posting...

 

Thanks for sharing!
Are there any noticeable differences in touch responsiveness/behaviour of the vaio compared to non screen protection? Or does it feel just great

 

Community Wiki

I have created a Wiki here: Sony Vaio Pro Wiki

All users can sign up and contribute to it and hopefully we can all learn something.

 

Touch feels great, MUCH better than the glass screen. No fingers sticking or rubbing, just smooth... Responsiveness is great as well.

Image quality does not suffer IMHO, it only looks ...matt.

I applied the same film on my Xperia V as well.

 

This is really great. I think i have to reactivate my wikia account...

 

Where did you get a working copy of these drivers? The ones available on NecaCom say they're only for newer Celeron and Pentium processors, and fail to install on the SVP13 with the error "This computer does not meet the minimum requirements for installing the software."

 

There are two different versions: One for the Celerons/Pentiums and one for the 3th/4th Generation CPUs from Intel. This should be the correct one: Intel HD Graphics drivers version 15.33.2.3282 WHQL

 

bought one.. hope it is worth it! thanks!

 

Love my Silver Vaio Pro 13. Mostly free of bloatware but the damn brightness settings is wonky. It does not work when it should. Also battery is only showing 4 hours on a full charge. Possibly due to brightness is stuck at 100%.

 

Hey everyone,

Terrific forum first off, I have been able to figure out a lot of things through here so thank you for everything. That said, I asked a question a long time ago about the whole waking up while asleep while plugged in thing that everyone asks and I got the answer about the SmartConnect thing. That solved the problem at first, but then after a few weeks it started happening again. I checked to see if it got switched back on (the SmartConnect) and it is still turned off. I have no idea what could be causing my Vaio to wake up randomly again and I can't find the answer on here. If anyone knows what else could be causing this, I'd love to know!

Thanks again

 

If you have turned off Intel Smart Connect Technology from Vaio Control Center, I don't think it will wake up your Vaio randomly. What I suspect is you might have noticed at one point the Power button lights up then turns off in a few seconds. This happens when your Vaio is changing from Sleep Mode into Hibernate mode. e.g. If you have set you Power options under Advanced Power Settings, Hibernate to be 2 hours, then 2 hours after your Vaio enters into Sleep mode, it will change into hibernate mode (the Power button will light up then gradually turn off after few seconds).

Intel Smart Connect Technology will never work under Hibernate mode.

 

hmmm i think i want to trade my 13 to a silver 11... anyone?

 

Any idea why the brightness slider stops working? I've removed and reinstalled the latest Intel drivers twice already.

Also why does the keyboard back light keep going off and on when not plugged in?

 

Please help

 

If you have used the slider under power setting say at 50%; at any time when you use the manual function key Fn + F6 to increase to say 100%, your Power setting will be adjusted to 100%. Meaning after a Restart, your screen brightness will remain at the last adjustment instead of your original setting. However, I did notice that occasionally after a resume from hibernate, the Fn + F5 or F6 or the slide does not work until you restart your computer. This definitely is a bug which Sony has to fix.

As for the Keyboard backlight, there is a setting under Vaio Control Centre/Input Device for Battery and plug-in.

 

Intel Core i7 4500U vs i5 4200U

 

Yes that is exactly what happens. It is most definitely a bug.

 

I had big problems with the wifi speeds even after updating with Vaio update and Windows update. The download speed was 8Mbps on a 100Mbps connection. After uninstalling mcafee my speed went straight up to 100Mbps. Now all wifi issues are gone.

 

Thanks! I had to uninstall the Sony-provided driver and then install directly from the Device Manager, but it finally worked.

This seems to have fixed some graphical glitches obvious in Chrome and Firefox, and also the Intel graphics properties dialog which was crashing before.

Oh,and VAIO Care was crashing before the update, too!

 

Same problem here. After the laptop resumes from sleep, the brightness slider stops working. This started 2 days ago. Also, when I leave the automatic brightness on, the screen changes the contrast now to the point where it is barely legible....Never a dull moment with Sony....

 

how many percent do you lose in your battery overnight when the laptop is shutdown? i shutdown my pro 13 leaving 100% battery life around 5pm then open it up the next morning 10am and the battery life is at 91%. is this normal loss even when the laptop is shutdown?

thanks!

 

If it is a total shutdown, you should not be losing much battery power (at most is 1-2% overnight; juice required to shutdown and restart the next time)

In SLEEP mode, however, you lose about 1-2% per hour, depends on how long you set your hibernation mode after sleep (advanced Power option).

For hibernation, this takes some juice when changing from Sleep to Hibernate and during restart and so I say may be 1-3% overnight plus the power consumed during sleep. So it is important to set your Sleep and hibernate time properly in your settings.

 

New intel HD Graphics drivers available

New Driver for Intel HD Graphics 4000+ Iris 5100, and Iris Pro 5200 « Ultrabook News and the Ultrabook Database

 

Hi ,
I have an old Vaio with this problem it's loss about 10~15 % when shutdown ? and this very annoying :S the problem that I'm gonna buy vaio pro this weekend and I don't want to face the same issue ?
can you confirm this ?? and does it loss battery in hibernate too ??

 

The version mentioned in the article is a couple of revisions old. Updates are being released very quickly. The latest version I've seen is the one mentioned by e.v.o. - 15.33.2.3282.

 

Need help picking colour for Sony Viao Pro 13", urgent, Need some opinions!
I am currently in the US and before I leave to Europe for good I need to pick up a laptop cos my old Acer died after 6 years (pretty damn good for a cheap laptop!)

I finally decided to buy the Sony Viao Pro 13. I have seen teh black very quickly at a Windows Stopre in Boston, however not sure whether it was just the black or carbon black. I havent seen the silver yet apart from on the internet...any ideas which one I shall opt for or is it just a matter of preference??

I always wanted a silver laptop...but is this carbon silver ugly or simply like the macbook air kind of silver?
Since the keyboard is also silver is it a nuisance and does it all appear too weird to have everything silver?
Then again, does the black look dull and does it get a lot of fingerprints?

Would really really appreciate your comments guys...asap please

Also, have the wifi issues ben resolved, and would you opt to buy it from a store (just in case it has to be returned) rather than over the internet?

I really thank you from my heart if I get a lot fo feedback. By the way I am a lady, maybe black is more for guys? Anyway just a thought, whats important is honest answers as if you re going to buy it yourselves thank you so much!

Jessie

 

I did a fresh install of Windows 8, though occasionally after I start it up I won't be able to adjust the brightness until I restart. I didn't have this problem when I had the factory-installed copy of Windows, any suggestions?

 

this sucks! it is total shutdown and i lost 8% of battery life overnight...

 

I don't think it has to do with a fresh install it seems to happen more if you leave your pro on mains for a long time I don't seem to get it when running on batteries

 

I had the same problem with my SVP11 with the factory install! could not solve without recovering windows

 

I think there is only the carbon black in US aper from the silver, personally I like it only the matt around the KB seems a course surface for dust

Just get it from Best Buys as they have a very good retun policy providing you are not after a full spec unit else a Sony store

 

I love my Silver one, it's so beautiful and elegant. (BTW I am a Male)
View attachment 101957
Silver keyboard looks much better than the Black one as well (less susceptible to dust). The small issue is the backlit on silver keyboard which may be hard to see the label on the keys if you are the one who looks at the keyboard to type.
View attachment 101958
I have no issue with my wifi but I connect mostly on the 5Ghz Band. It does have issue for most on the 2.4Ghz band especially when you are far away from the router.
If you purchase the Vaio Pro in the US whether in store or Sony Store online, you may return the product within 30days.
Sony eSupport - Sony Store FAQs

 

Hi Guys,
I was on the phone with Sony Support for almost an hour. The staff believed it has something to do with the VAIO CONTROL CENTER that's not properly installed. So we tried a few things here and there and eventually it worked. Make sure you follow the exact sequence:
1. Uninstall Vaio Control Center from Control Panel>Programs & Features
2. After restart computer, go to Sony eSupport, key in your model number and look for an old VCC software 6.2.4.05270 dated 10Jun2013

3. After installation, restart computer, then go to Vaio Update to check for update. Update whatever is available re-VCC
4. Restart Computer. Check if your Power settings on brightness are still there.

I have tested by manually Hibernating the machine and also let machine goes into Sleep then Hibernate according to the Power Option timings and both ways are working OK now after Resume from Hibernate.
Hope this one will work for you.

 

could you please take some pictures? both with the screen on/off would be much appreciated. :thumbsup:

 

Just got my SVP13 delivered this weekend. No wifi issues and perfect screen. But I have noticed a pair issues that are quite annoying (at least to me). I ran some searches to this thread and didn't turn anything up, but in case I used the wrong search terms, apologies if these are repeat questions.

Has anyone encountered either of the following?
#1. Arrow keys give much less feedback on presses, as compared to the rest of the keyboard. Also, if you press them off center you can get a click sensation but the press does not register. The function key row is somewhat similar, but not nearly as bad as the arrow keys.
#2. By pushing lightly on the underside of the body beneath the touchpad, I can trigger a tap. This one really bugs me because when I'm sitting with the body on my lap, simply resting my palms alongside the touchpad can trigger random clicks...It pushes the body of the laptop down just hard enough that the corresponding pressure underneath the touchpad triggers a click.

Thanks all.

 

After I uninsalled VAIO CONTROL CENTER I cannot reinstall it. The installer says that a newer version of VAIO CONTROL CENTER is already installed. Anyone?

edit:quote

 

Really disappointed with my purchase. I always have pitch noise even after repair at sony. I can not send it in for a re-repair, I need my computer for my classes. I do not know what to do. I do not even enjoy more of this beautiful machine as I am annoyed by the hassles.

 

Hey everyone, not sure if this was posted but there is a new graphics driver from intel for the HD4400, downloading it right now myself

You can use the auto detect, Intel® Driver Update Utility this is what I did, or link to the drivers here

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/De...cessors+with+Intel®+HD+Graphics+4000&lang=eng

 

Fix list:
http://downloadmirror.intel.com/23105/eng/ReleaseNotes_GFX_3257_32-bit.pdf

 

Sony support staff remotely logged into my Vaio Pro to do the uninstallation and re-installation. He did have numerous response like what you were getting when he tried to install it from Vaio care. He finally succeeded in the installation by using browser, going into eSupport website to download and install. If you still have problem, call support and let them do it for you.

 

Is the fan from the Pro 13 louder than on the Vaio Z when in full swing? My Z was noisy all the time.