Official Vaio Pro 13 Owners Lounge (SVP13 2013)

ok I can't seem to install the new graphics driver, says it says the driver is not valid for this computer

anyone get it to work?

 

Truecrypt won't work with GUID formatting so I need to reinstall windows with an MBR formatting.

When people here are talking about how they've done a 'fresh install of Windows 8' to avoid McAfee etc, how can this be done? Would I have to buy another full copy of Windows 8?

My Pro 13 doesn't come with any disks, not even recovery ones and there is no optical drive to make any.

 

Full swing about the same - under normal conditions though the Z is a lot quieter. Returning the Pro because of the fan noise under under normal usage and the issues with WiFi.

 

You need to download a Windows 8 ISO, it won't ask for a key during the install it will automatically load the built-in W8 key.

 

Thanks.

Now I managed to reinstall Vaio Control Center. First I installed ver 6.0.5.10150 VAIO Control Center version 6.0.5.10150 for Windows 8 Upgrade : Download : Sony Asia Pacific, then ver 6.2.2.05100 Sony : SVS1511C5E updates | Download updates for SVS1511C5E . Still Fn+F5/F6 doesn't make any effect. The level indicator shows up, but nothing happens with screen brightness. I can adjust the brightness settings in charms though.

 

It's Fn + F5 or F6 not F3 or F4

 

Here you go. Quite tricky to shoot a half-decent picture of the screen... it isn't as dirty as it looks..!



Some apps on the right side were updating while I shot the picture.. this is why they are blurred.

 

Typo. I meant F5 and F6. Thank you, but the problem was unfortunately not me pushing the wrong buttons, so it's still not working.

 

I got the same thing, even after removing all the Sony related folders in program files and programdata, it still says that there's a newer version. I've tried the links in this post to install control center, though not all of the options show up because it's a different model. I removed that version of control center with Revo Uninstaller, though I was still unable to correct version. Is there some registry keys that need to be removed as well? Something in appdata? I'd rather not call sony and be on the phone for an hour...

 

Hmm! Your version number from Asia/Pacific is quite different from the versions available in US/Canada. Suggest you call your Asia/Pacific Sony support and let the support staff do it for you.

 

Same here. Removed and re-installed Control center. The brightness adjustment works fine until the laptop goes to sleep once. Then the slider shows up on the screen, but the brightness will not change. Restart, it works fine again....

 

I had the same problem. Reinstalled the control center from Vaio Assist, that worked. Downloaded version did not work. But it didn't fix the problem with the brightness......

 

I've had my Pro 13 for about 10 days now. I did a clean Win-8 install and planned to share my opinion after using it a while. (I'll do that sometime in the next few days). For now I can at least say: No loud fan; no wifi issues; and BT mouse disconnect issue solved from reading this board. About the only problem I couldn't seem to fix was this exact brightness problem that is mentioned here - that is, until tonight.

It seems that this has been a problem with other VAIO models in the past, and I just stumbled upon a few people/boards narrowing down the problem to the VAIO Care program. After trying everything else over the past week, I finally uninstalled this program (which I realize I'd never use anyway) and sure enough, the brightness is no longer frozen upon opening back up the lid.

 

I did a fresh install and no longer have Vaio Assist and it's not listed on the downloads page. I tried to install Vaio Update, though once the installer finishes, I don't actually have any new software installed.

 

Thank you Steveuae for your help. I am really stressing as I need it till this weekend....and before I leave the States just in case something is wrong with it I would need to return it...
I called Best Buy today, there is one not far from where I am....and the guy told me they don't get them into the stores, the Sony, only online. And I kind of wanted to look at them infront of me, both colours...before I buy. He did tell me that I can buy it online and if I don't like it I can return it..though...

Now I just discovered there is a huge Sony store about an hour away....hopefully I go there and I will be able to see them both infront of me..
I like the silver but I just wish the keys were black like most laptops, rather than silver too...

Also, will both Best Buy and sony install all the drivers for you?? I am not that keen to install stuff....not an expert at all lol.

 

The Silver is superior to Black. It looks much more sleek. Pulled my unit out in front of a crowd of Macbooks and my unit was drawing the most attention.

 

Hey Wiclee,
Thank you so much! I loved your pics, when I clicked on them to enlarge, they looked fab! Also, I could see the keyboard much better on your pic. I really thought that the print on the keys is not black...I thought it was way unclear....something like grey. Not sure but some pics on the internet aren't that clear...
DO you also know whether the 8 gig of Ram and 128 ssd has i7 or i5? Does i5 for example handle 8 gig of Ram and maybe 256 SSD?
I think I will get the 128 SSD as I have two external hard drives, but much prefer the 8 gig of Ram.

re typing..I type fast and I don look at the keyboard....so the lighting is not an issue for me...

I just hope I don't get issued with the wifi....that's all I need it for mostly! I travel a lot and I am always in and out of internet cafes...
I really don't understand how the GHz works...so if I am at an internet café will I find problems to connect?
gosh I love my blackberry...I can connect from miles away lol!
Appreciate your help, please hope to hear from you again..
Thanks
Jes

 

Hey Slvrshot! Thanks!!! Wow I am glad you said that..it really makes me wanna get it asap.
Plus, lets face it...you can always put a black cover over the lid if you want, and if they exist..
My friend has put a black cover on his MacBook pro (for protection).

Did you get any issues with yours??
Thank you!

 

I had one issue with mine that seems to have resolved itself. I had issues with the brightness toggles not working. Also if I were you I'd get the i7, 8gb, 128 model only because the processor and ram can never be upgraded, while the SSD will be eventually upgradeable and you can always supplement it with a fast USB 3.0 slim drive. That alone saved me about $200 bucks.

 

Personally, I would recommend i5(if you are not a gamer) 8GB Ram and 256GB SSD.
However, specs in Silver color may be limited to what's available in store, so you need to check it out.

As for wifi, I see there are many that have no issues at all but there are also plenty with the problem, mainly on the downloading speed. Once you have the machine, you should test it out both at home and with public wifi. I have tested mine at McDonalds, Shopping Mall, library and have no issues with the connection.

 

My brightness issues are now solved after uninstalling VAIO Care. Thank you!

 

Okay thanks. I was thinking about downloading the preview version of 8.1: Windows 8 - Microsoft Windows
but in the FAQ it says:

If you download the ISO, you'll need to enter this product key: NTTX3-RV7VB-T7X7F-WQYYY-9Y92F.
Additionally, you'll also need your Windows 8 product key when you update to the final edition of Windows 8.1 from the preview.

Are you sure there's some sort of built in automatic W8 product activation chip in the hardware? I don't need to make a note of the product key? If I do, where do I find it?

 

The later Windows 8 laptops do indeed have the serial embedded into the bios/uefi chipset so it will not ask you to enter it when reinstalling.
In my case, I bought the laptop with W8 but already have a licence for W8 Pro so I installed that...however to do this and not let UEFI kick-in and enter the serial for me...and then having to update to Pro, I found a way to override UEFI

More can be found on here Windows 8 activation & BIOS explained

 

If you want a fresh Windows 8.1 install you have to use one of the serials floating around on the internet for installing since 8.1 doesn't recognise the built in serial. 8.0 does indeed install fine without entering any additional serial.

So, there you go:
1. Make a clean 8.1 install using these serials for installation:

• Professional = XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
• Professional N = JRBBN-4Q997-H4RM2-H3B7W-Q68KC
• Professional WMC = GBFNG-2X3TC-8R27F-RMKYB-JK7QT

WMC = Windows Media Center
N = Windows 8 Edition without any media related addtions: no support for streaming, music/picture/video playback, ...
2. Download Windows 8 Product Key Viewer
3. Go to Settings. Paste in the serial and your 8.1 is activated

You also have to use the newest graphics drivers or there is a chance that you could reinstall the whole system (like i did 3 times since i figured out what the problem was... ^^)

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I'm working on a modded BIOS for our hated/beloved ultrabook which will feature way more settings inside the BIOS and updated ROM modules for better stability, performance and compatibility.

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Did someone saw the latest BB episode? can't wait for the final! just love that show!

 

Has anyone yet replaced the wireless card? Would be great to have ac support.

ARK | Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260

 

The Sony Store offers 3 configurations. There's an i5/128 SSD/4 Ram for $1249. Then, a i5/256 SSD/4 Ram for $1499. Finally, an i7/256 SSD/8 Ram for $1799.
There's also the limited edition red i7/512 SSD/8 Ram for $2599. Then, you have the option of CTO.

 

Update on the sleep issues I was having (led light stays on, screen black required cold reboot)

After all driver updates, clean install, etc still present, sent it into Sony finally. They just told me that the motherboard has to be replaced. Hopefully this will solve the issue, anyone else have this happen? Maybe it's just bad luck qnd machine will run well now... fingers crossed

 

btw I have just noticed that Sony store offers free upgrade to 256GB SSD the promotion is untill September 23rd

 

Windows 7 users, what did you do to calm down the fan ?

Are all the drivers for Windows 7 available ? Which ones are missing ?

 

Don't install the preview because the final RTM is out. Check e.v.o's post for install keys.

 

That's what I've been waiting for I'm sending back my vaio with extra battery and will order the one with bigger ssd.

Can sombody tell me how long does it take from the moment I let sony know what i'm planning to the moment they will send me my money back?

 

Dont see anything about a free upgrade.

 

There is an info on a polish site "double your ssd storage for free". But there also is an error - you can't select that, still there is an option to select a free extra battery. Called them today and they confirmed this mistake, promised this will be fixed tommorow.

 

Silvershot, thanks once again. That's what I plan to get...I want 8 ram as its non upgradable...but between i7 and i5 I am not fussed....However, do you think that i5 wont be able to handle 8 gig of ram? I am not fussed with the SSD either, I have got two external hard drives that I have been carrying around with me for my Acer (80gig of drive !, 2 of ram, and lasted 6 years).
I spoke with someone at the Sony store today, he also told me that warranty is available outside of the US (since I will be going back to Europe) and they will install all the drivers for me...I am happy someone didn't encounter any problems....I liked the Asus Zenbook at first, but this is lighter. Did you have issues with the fan also?

 

Thanks Wiclee! that's what I am gonna do, hopefully get it before the weekend and try it out. I rang up sony today but they don't have in store the 8 gig or ram ..only the basic 4, i5 and 128 SSD...so I have to order it with them, then drive to them again when delivered so they can install everything for me..fingers crossed that it will all work out..hopefully I will get the silver too

 

Wiclee, I am not a gamer but I do like 8 gig of ram cos I like to edit video clips and slideshows etc...I guess 8 is better no?

 

That's definitely more future proof. The 4 Gb version should not even exists IMHO.

 

Ya! 8GB Ram is a must. Get i5 which is powerful enough for normal work and surfing. 128GB hard Drive is kind of limited considering the Recovery partition would have taken 23GB of space plus OS and Sony software, you don't have much space left. For a light portable machine like this one, you don't want to carry extra external Hard Drive with you all the time.

 

Well just got mine today and wow the wifi. Using my old one here and getting 58Mbps steady. VP won't even connect. Has latest intel drivers on there.

 

Wiclee thanks....but I already carry an external hard drive...considering all the problems everyone is facing...I think I d go with 128 gig ssd.
Fingers crossed the wifi will work tho...otherwise...cant think of an alternative so nice and light...maybe the asus?
But I will first get the pro...

 

New review up at Review: Sony VAIO Pro 11 - elegance in Ultrabook form | Windows Phone Central

 

Ok, great deal now available on Sony.pl - Free 256 SSD and by mistake still an extra sheet battery also for free. Already ordered mine, if somene is gonna buy one better hurry up before they will fix this mistake with an extra sheet battery.

 

Jessie , I have seen both the models & i can give you my 2 cents. The silver color looks very nice except in one area, the screen bezel is still all black unlike Acer S7 which has them in white color . If you can live with the black bezel on silver laptop then is fine. while the black one is all black & looks quite nice . If bezel was silver on the silver colour than its definitely better looking than the Acer S7

 

Vinod Hegde, what is the bezel, is it the lining of the screen? I actually wouldn't mind that......I also would actually prefer to have the keys black to, for some contrast, but I don't think that exists. I dont mind the carbon black...I ve seen it at MS in Boston, however it looks like a tablet...it looks too small if its all black...Also, I do not like the black keyboard....looks dull...
Anyway tonight I am going to Sony. I am looking for an 8gig of Ram, doesn't matter whether its 128 ssd or 256....I hope they supply it tho...
Thanks for your two cents!!
The Acer doesn't look bad tho, its just that I would like to try something different, its a good brand, mine lasted 6 years and I bang it wherever I go, I travel a lot, I dropped it more than once too! And it only had 80 HD and 2 ram lol.
What laptop have you got, if you dont mind me asking

 

UK bought machine, ordered early Sept, delivered mid Sept. Top spec in all respects apart from not red shell.

After 27 hours, with a bit of sleep in between, I've got my machine set up just as I like it, installed through old Bios (not GUID), Truecrypt encrypted on whole system.

Can someone remind me of the niggles I'm supposed to be checking for, so I can see if they're a problem for me in case I decide to send it back within a few days.

These are the ones I can remember:

1. Fan noise. No fan noise at all in light use. Some fan noise when downloading and installing 700Mb of Windows Update as expected. Much quieter than my Vaio Z that used to whir up just to make thumbnails of PSDs.

2. WIFI. No dropouts in 3 hours. Showing 4 out of 5 bars from closed office 15 meters away, as is my HP. Was there a conflict when using bluetooth. I can't work out whether my BT is on or off on this Win 8? How do I switch / use it?

3. Electrical noises when moving from one screen type to another. No probs here, but I think it had something to do with whether a USB socket was left to be 'always on'? I suspect they might have changed the factory setting by now?

4. Anything else I've missed / should check?

How to get all shortcuts eg. Fn + F6 = Brighter screen after a fresh install please?

I have also downloaded and ran 'Vaio Care Recovery' from Sony downloads page. How do I start this and what does it do? Thanks.

 

Tip I learnt from a blog post I read for extra storage: The SD card is flat when inserted in the new VAIO 13, so you can have one in their permanently for extra storage. Maybe an owner can confirm this?

Also, could somebody confirm, is the SSD upgradeable after purchase?

 

Not an owner, but if you watched/read reviews about it, they will tell you that the SD card does not stick out and the SSD is upgradable but there are currently no PCIe SSDs in the market right now.
Source: Upgrade the Sony Vaio Pro 2013 Haswell Ultrabook with PCIe SSD - YouTube



Anyone bought the Vaio Pro from the US? where do you buy it from?
I find the online Sony store is over priced and the only promotion they have right now is free upgrade to Windows 8 Pro.
Fry's however gave me a good price for i7 8gb ($1399) Have yet to check out a physical Sony store/microsoft store or best buy.
But I'm quite afraid of SKUs as they may be the older batch of laptop (the ones with issues)

 

Saw the same video.
If the SSD card thing is true then that would suffice for now, knowing that I could upgrade the SSD in the future.

What SKUs do you need to watch out for??
(and sorry if this has been mentioned before, this is a loooooooooooooooong thread)

 

I wish I could afford the red shell too.. Would turns heads like having a Playboy tier girlfriend.

Don't think has been mentioned in this thread, but I read other forums (NOT confirmed to be true, just speculations) that Wifi problem may be caused by positioning of the Wifi card against the Carbon Fiber Chassis. Apparently they might have somehow positioned it a way that might interfere with the signals. People who purchased it more recently have reported no problems. Again, this is all just speculation, it may or may not be true, but even so, I would rather have a newly assembled model over a Bestbuy SKU.

 

Hmm, seriously considering the 13"... Was leaning towards the Lenovo Carbon X1 (weight is an important factor as I travel frequently, but also decent performance for web design work), but there's a lot to like about the Vaio I have to admit.

Anyone got any first hand experience of the difference between working on a 14" v 13.3" with web design at all? Both are small, but I'm comfortable on a 14" nowadays with portability so important to me, wondering what the drop in .7" would actually mean.

And do you think it's comparable build-wise to Lenovo Thinkpads?