Official Vaio Y 13.3 Series Owners Lounge

They ended the $599 Y deal now, and they also discontinued the CTO Y series (its not on SonyStyle anymore), looks like theyre preparing for the 11" Y

 

Was $599 for a ready-to-ship Y? In which case it's ended since at least a few days ago; when I ordered on the 23rd the only listing not available now is the CTO starting at $549.

Kind of odd that they have to take down the CTO line just to put up the 11" model, but Sony Style's website has always been a bit quirky.

I did check the Japanese site and the 13.3" model is still available as a CTO, so at least they're not discontinuing the line -- which makes sense, if they're positioning this as an MBA alternative.

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(they have more color choices than the US store, though thankfully at least we get the nice-looking black-on-black combo. The only combo I wished to see is the black-keyboard-on-silver that's not even sold in the Japan, though I've seen it on the UK store, and a Canadian colleague has a black-on-silver Z)

 

$549 was for the CTO only, I dont think the ready-to-ship had the sale. I think they will discontinue it in Japan also by the time the 11"comes out..probably because they want people to get the Z instead, and they already have the 13.3" S series, though slightly larger with the optical drive

 

The SSD was an awesome upgrade. With the SSD and a fresh start install, boot time dropped to 25s and starting programs and file operations became nearly instantaneous. Battery life may have improved a little, but not significantly - maybe 15 minutes?

Also, the usual system optimizations like removing bloatware, minimizing startup programs, etc. remains just as important with an SSD as with a HDD.

I agree with loopty that the 6GB upgrade isn't worth it. Also, for the uses you mention there won't be much difference between the i3 and i5.

 

By the way, I saw the new 11.6" Y on Friday at Sydney airport. I played with it for about 15 minutes. It's noticeably smaller and lighter than the 13.3" Y but the design looks the same. The keyboard is slightly more cramped, but I could still type comfortably on it. For comparison, the 11.6" MacBook Air keyboard is better but the 11.1" VAIO X keyboard is much worse. The battery looked to be the same size as the 13" models, so it takes up proportionally more space.

Between the battery, HD, and memory slots it doesn't leave a lot of room for the computing bits so I doubt they will offer a dedicated GPU option. The only reason why we currently have a dedicated GPU option is that the Y was originally designed for the C2D which was a 2-chip solution (CPU+chipset). So when the Core-i ULV platform put everything on one chip, there was board space and cooling system capacity left over to fit the GPU. The 11.6" Y is starting out with a single chip design.

The 11.6" Y with i3-380UM seemed to get a bit warmer than the current Y with i3-330UM, but I don't know whether to blame the faster CPU or tighter packaging.

The price was AUD $999 for i3-380UM, 4GB, and 320GB HDD, which is the same price as the 13.3" Y with similar specs. I think if it shows up in the US for the same price as the current Y ($770) it will be a slow seller. Buyers here don't appreciate small laptops.

 

@dmk2

Thanks for the preview. An 11.6" with the current 9 cell should really last all day.

 

GOT MY Y!!! Yay! It's sexier than I thought it'll be!

I will post some initial user impressions maybe after a week of using it?

First dumb question though, how do i remove all them stickers right below the keyboard (without scratching or leaving sticky residue)?

Thanks!

 

I have sheer horror with Intel graphic today. I cant do overscan on my brother's DLP big projector.

I think I am going to stick with a graphic processor and hope the 11.6" Y will have this option ??? Does anyone knows?

 

2 hour post opening the box update...

Very impressed with the battery so far, the laptop came with ~50% battery power and I spent nearly 3hours updating/installing, and downloading other stuff from the web, all on Windows' "Balanced" power plan and 100% brightness.

~3hours later, I ran the battery down until it wouldn't start the laptop again.

BUT, the battery IS loose. I remember reading somewhere back on this thread that there's a fix for it? Can someone quickly tell me? There's nearly 100pages of information to go through.

 

Looks like myself and few others got the last batch of CTO laptops, you can no longer customize the Y series on Sony's website.

 

You are lucky... the fix is mine and I happened to read your post

http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...official-sony-s-series-owners-thread-158.html

 

Yeah I saw it last night, thanks!

 

I kept getting an 'unsupported or not installed' battery message. to get rid of that i had to disable the 'isb' utility. also bluetooth wouldnt install properly, i kept getting a 'btbubble.dll missing'. anyone know what could be the problem?

win 7 x64 pro volume license btw.

 

I think a bios update fixed the batter warning btw.

 

The 11.6" has shipped in Japan for a while, and they are still offering the 13.3". Since the two offer straightforward alternatives to the two MBA sizes, I rather doubt Sony's discontinuing the 13.3".

If the S is already shipping in the US store it'd be more likely that the 13.3" Y is canceled. Since it's still not, and the Japan store is selling both 11.6" and 13.3" models, it's harder to fathom what's going on.

Still, if the laptops share the same internals, I wouldn't be too worried if the Y becomes 11.6" only; spare parts would still be available. It'd be a shame, though. The optical drive is becoming like the floppy for road warriors -- something to be used sparingly, and otherwise just a drain on weight and battery life.

 

Amusingly, if you search for VPCY2190X, you can still configure and order one -- as long as you bump up the RAM from 2GB and the processor from the Pentium U5400. I wonder if it's a shopping store glitch.

 

So, its been 2 days with the 2190x cto with 6gb ram, i5, dedicated vid, xtended battery, and kingston ssd.

I honestly dont have anything bad to say so far. Upgraded from an asus a8js core 2 due @ 2.0. All of my windows user experience numbers went up from that laptop. The battery life is insane, i keep it on max performance with 100% brightness and am getting easily 7+ hours, using it the whole time. movies/web surf. Its super solid and quality feeling. perfect size and super bright. power adapter is nice and small.
I was concerned about the extended battery being to big but after owning it I have on complaints. on my lap I do not notice it as it doesnt go all the way to the edge so the laptop sits on my legs and the battery is in between. So basically I do not even notice it.

 

I was cursing myself for missing out on the CTO availability... but then I came across the Sony Outlet store. You can find refurb Y's in pretty much any configuration. Ended up getting an i5-430m, 4GB, 320GB black Y w/ standard battery for $650. With the savings I net off that, I applied it towards 8GB memory and 500GB 7200RPM HD from another store. Cheaper to do that for sure.

Didn't quite feel that I needed discreet graphics to play 3 year old games. I have an Xbox for that. However, they do have Y's for only $40 more with the ATI chip.

I just hope the screen on the Y is at least half-way decent as my current notebook - Vaio TZ-140. I've been totally spoiled by it.

 

versello> I had TZ and I have Y now. TZ is a A+ screen. Y is a C :| HP Envy 13 have a A screen (i had this this spring till summer when I got the Y).

twixt01> I don't know how do you get 7+ hours from it with 100% bright and all

 

I would have gotten an Envy if the company supplying the screens allegedly didn't go under... I really like the Y for it's size, upgrade options and battery life. I would have gotten a Z for the screen, but the lack of support for regular SATA drives prevents me from doing so.

 

I had the same question, but then I see that s/he has the extended battery.

EVEN with the extended battery, I have to question about the 100% brightness, max performance, and 7hours of web surfing/movies.

 

That was the first day. It is slightly lower now but I can guarantee that 100% brightness/ max performance/ ssd I have watched two full divx movies in a row on battery.

i5 with dedicated card is unable to play 1080p blu-ray rip smoothly. During fast motion scenes it lags. Im not really sure why though as i have 3gb ram free, ssd and only 20% processor usage.

 

You may have to bump up the power setting to balanced if you're in the lower setting.

 

Question regarding my own battery life, and how it stacks up to the rest of you folks. The laptop is about 2weeks old, drained the battery until it wouldn't boot anymore for the 1st week.

i5, ATI chip, still have some VAIO software, standard battery.

Typical usage is:
moderate web surfing
"Balanced" Windows profile

And my battery would only last me ~4h and 30mins. Is this what people more or less get? Or am I on the low side?

 

Sounds about right for that model, assuming you have the screen brightness around 50% or so. The ATI graphics and i5 reduce your battery life.

I recall another poster who had the same config as you getting 4.5-5 hours and a few people have the i3 + ATI and are getting around 5 hours. If you switch to power saver profile and set the maximum processor state to avoid turbo boost, you might be able to get a little more.

 

I'm wondering why so many people are SOOO concerned about battery-life and whether it is 4.5 or 5 hours? I doubt all of you need to work on over-Atlantic flights on daily basis!? Or spend all day at the park every day?

Battery life was one of the least important features when I was buying the Vaio... As long as it lasts 2+ hours - I am happy, because I never really need more than that and if you plan on going on a jungle trip for a week and need to play solitaire every day - just buy a second battery...

 

I care a great deal about battery life. I do a lot of my studying at the local 24hours starbucks, and it's not a guarantee that I'll sit at a table with a plug right next to it.

I don't want a netbook so I compromised and got something with an ultralow processor.

All the processing power in the world means nothing when you've planned ~6hours of work, and your laptop dies ~3hours.

 

exactly. and as no battery can guaranteed handle over 4h, if you really need 6h - you just buy 2 and have all the electricity you can handle + enough computing power.

But I doubt that many people use it for a 6h studying tour... it seems to me as one of the things like "Let's see whose car is faster" although you never ever drive with 240 km/h on the highway.

P.s. They let you stay at a starbucks for 6h reading books? You must be their favorite customer LOL

 

Having just read the CES announcements, I wonder if it's because a Sandy Bridge refresh is imminent for both 11.6" and 13.3" sizes? The model number would change and so, given the reputed 10-50% improvements, it'd make sense to stop production now. And that's probably why the 11.6" model has not appeared either? Asians are bigger on small form factors, traditionally, so it makes sense to trial the new model there first (in the US an 11.6" might get confused for a netbook!)

Was just vacationing in Indonesia and saw my first Sony Y 11.6" as well as the Sony S -- and I still would like to see a next-gen 13.3" Y. The S does not use a CULV so battery life won't be as good. Solidly built machine, though -- I wonder why it's not sold online. The Indonesian pricing is horrendous, by the way -- the 11.6" with Core i3, 2GB RAM and 320GB HDD was selling for Rp 8.9 million (about $980 USD, including 10% sales tax). The 13" Y still being sold online in the US is only $760-$780...

 

The Starbucks I go to is a popular study-spot (because it's open 24hours). And they're cool with people chilling all day long, even having meals there.

I'm usually there for at least 3-6hours, weekends more because of no work.

 

???

many notebooks garuntee over 4 hours

 

I mean is that this is only granted if you use power-saving options, etc. etc - so to say usage dependent! I doubt many would last for more then 4h under full load.

But the point is - I don't know a single person who really needs over 1-2h battery life. I know a few who are just lazy to connect the charger!

I use my battery to move the laptop from one room to another or go show something to a colleague, etc... usually less than 30min.

I thought we live in a civilized world with electricity... The max battery life I've ever needed for the past 8 years I use notebooks was 2h which was the time I was traveling with a train almost every day ... And how many of you do that for 5 hours on regular basis !?

And even if... isn't concentrating on the notebook and it's features more important than just buying a second battery pack!? Soooo many useless discussions about whether it lasts for 4 hours and 12 minutes or 4 hours and 19 minutes !

 

well the thing with the 2nd battery pack is that you have to turn off the computer to change it and you cant charge them both at the same time, so you would have to keep swithcing to make sure theyre both charged. The slice battery that HP uses is a great fix for these issues but other manufacturers dont use it. And long batteries also give you flexibility, I dont want to stay next to an outlet all the time, I want the freedom to sit in my backyard for a few hours, or go the library without dragging my charger along because I dont like using those big bags to put my charger in, all I carry is a notebook sleeve

 

I should probably write an initial review of my Y2xxx laptop, after 2weeks' use. I used to have a HP dz4t, 14inch, 2.4 core 2 duo, integrated graphics, 4gb ram.

Current Y2xxx laptop spec.
- i5 430um
- ATI chip
- 4gb ram
- Sangria Red

LIKES
- Love the overall shape and size. It's a lot thinner than the raw number tell you.
- No flex anywhere, that includes chassis, keyboard, screen.
- Laptop stays cool and quiet even when stressed.
- Little rubber stoppers around the screen, nearly impossible to "slam" the screen down.
- Battery life, I'm averaging ~4hours on balanced profile and ~50% brightness while surfing the web.
- The ultralow voltage i5 isn't much slower than the 2.4 ghz core 2 duo.
- ATI chip can handle a lot.

DISLIKE
- Unlike the macbooks, can't open the laptop with one hand, must hold onto the laptop while opening the screen.
- Can't power on unless the screen is opened.
- The green power button is ridiculously bright.
- Only one audio out port (HP had 2, and I loved it)
- USB ports are kind of snug, I really have to yank the thing to pull it out.
- Slightly loose battery, kind of annoying.
- Laptop speakers are crap compared to the Altec Lensing on my old HP.

I do love it though, mainly for the way it looks, inexpensive but capable GPU, and battery life.

 

So how does a battery that lasts 5h instead of 4,5h (and that under numerous usage conditions) solve your 6h problem!? All I'm saying is that a discussion about half or even 1 hour is not worthy. You either need 3h and the battery can for sure offer you that, or you need more so you need a second pack.

In addition, draining the battery to 0% is never a good idea!

And I still doubt many need a 5+ h battery life on regular basis as you claim to. I always start laughing when I hear someone advertising me a laptop by saying "Oh and the battery lasts 7h!!!!!" - awesome, now I can go live in the woods

 

i have some questions about the webcam? how can i improve my webcam? really the vaio y cam **cks!

 

By buying a better one - cost about 10-20 bucks.

 

ok, i know i can buy another one, but what aboit portability? I bought a sony as a "multimedia laptop", otherwise i kept the lenovo! it has to be a way to adjust the webcam resolution!

 

Bring it with you. All kinds of portability there.

And what's wrong with the onboard camera?

But really, if the onboard webcam is your deal breaker, I doubt you'll be happy with any laptop.

 

That's exactly what the mistake is - Vaio Y is not really a multimedia machine. It belongs rather to the business series, and no businessman works as a part time web-cam model you know...

0.3 MP basic camera is more then enough for a simple business video conference.

 

As a student I find classes and social activities keeps my laptop on for quite a while, usually 3-4 hours.

I also want to save space and don't want the hassle of bringing my laptop charger with me everywhere, or buying an extra battery and carrying it around.

6 hours is ideal but yeah realistically I just need my battery to last 5 hours. My first laptop was an HP with barely 3 hours of battery life and I felt limited in how often I could use it in class. My SU7300 Y-series last nearly 6 hours and I never felt pressured in getting it back to the charger.

 

I agree the webcam should be adequate for most Y users. Aside from those running pr0n sites, I'm not sure what you need a high resolution web cam for. But, I could be behind the times.

I doubt there are many people using the Y for business though. Perhaps some small, independent business people. But people who work for a medium-large company will usually get a standard issue corporate drone machine.

My guess is the primary market for the Y is university students. They spend a lot of their day moving around campus between classes, student centers, cafeterias, lounges, etc. so they need something easy to carry with decent battery life. And it can't cost too much. If you can get one with a dedicated GPU so that gaming is a realistic possibility, then it's even better. The last incarnation of the Y ticked all those boxes.

I'm not a student, but I had two reasons for choosing it. First, it had to be comfortable to use on my lap while sitting in front of the TV and easy to drag around the house, so lightweight and cool running. Also, I do travel a fair amount, including cross-world trips a few times a year with door-to-door transit times of 24-26 hours. I don't always take a personal computer, but when I do it has to be lightweight with good battery life. My Y115 model can last about 6.5 hours with the standard battery and 10 hours with the extended battery, which has come in handy a few times. I was tempted by some Asus models with even better battery life, but wasn't willing to accept the Asus build quality and keyboard flex.

I also agree that the true need for long battery life is rare. Aside from UN workers and missionaries in remote African villages, paleontologists at dig sites, etc. most of us have sufficient access to power that we can plan our computer use around it. But long battery life certainly is convenient. My work issued laptop only lasts about 2.5 hours on a charge. Compared to the Y, using my work laptop while on travel is frustrating, like when competing for scarce power sockets when everybody shows up with laptops in the same meeting room, or a layover in an airport somewhere where you don't have the right power plug adapter. And even at home there are many instances where I want to pass the laptop around or use it elsewhere in the house without having to deal with the umbilical cord.

I'll put it another way. You could make a similar argument that people don't need more than XGA or WXGA resolution, since you can always pan & zoom. And that would be true for most users, but it doesn't diminish the value of high resolution screens.

 

Actually even the latest Y-series may be adequate for students, sure it lacks a graphics card (so did the last Y-series if I recall correctly) but it still hits the goal of lightweight, long battery life, and low cost.

Remember, netbooks are still popular among many students (I've seen a modest number at my university) although I personally prefer a 13" screen minimum w/ full keyboard.

 

Hello proud owners!

Did anyone ever attempt to open the laptop in order to clean the keyboard?

I spilled wax on my key board and few letters are stucked... This is obviously not covered by guaranty!

Thanks,

Laurent

 

Why would you want to open the notebook to clean the keyboard? The keyboard is a standalone item that can be removed.

I can tell you how to remove the keyboard of Vaio S, it should be very similar, but first await some response from the "proud owners"

 

Hey Gracy!

Thanks for your help! It's a fairly new laptop, and the keys are organised like a macbook, there is a hard shell separating the keys. Otherwise I could have just pop the keys and clean it. But there is wax under the plastic shell separating the keys. So I figured out I have to remove the case, thus opening this lovely machine...

Laurent

 

Look at Vaio S It has the same type of keyboard The keyboard is removable (don't you notice it's a panel? ), but this will not help you as you will not be able to access anything from underneath (besides to clean underneath the whole panel if the liquid was that much). You can remove each individual key by pulling it from the upper edge. It will click from the upper side and you can pull it out completely.

The Space bar, the Enter key, the Shifts, the Back-space key, as well as the Num-Lock and Tab keys (basically all "long" keys) are a bit more tricky to remove and mainly to put back, so don't remove those if it is not necessary. If you do have to, I will try to help you with those too

 

...I killed the keyboard...
I was a little too adventourous and separated the casing... cantreattach it...
Gracy, do you know whee to order vaio pieces?

 

What did you do exactly!????

There are cheap original keyboards on ebay (at least for S). But I think it is actually the same keyboard. Anyway - check on ebay.

 

Bought a new one on ebay (30 can$, not too bad), but eh, how do you remove the keyboard? it seems glued (since I see no screws)to the laptop bottom...
Thanks again!

*like you said gracy, the keyboard is partly keys and a cover. I ripped the cover, breaking all the delicates plastic weldings... so I cant put the cover back and my kboard is all bended and I broke a key attach in the process...