Sony SE Owners' Thread

It is cheaper to go with a hdd from sony and then put in your own ssd since the sony ssds have a special connector which makes them difficult to replace.

This was my route but the SA is not offered with HDD in poland.

 

Maybe cost? Two 128gb SSDs might still be cheaper than a single 256 SSD. Also I think that allows them to set up a RAID configuration.

 

OK. So, I'll wait a few months... And may be prices will go down in 2012

Cost seems a good reason. And RAID 0 is really fast ? Faster than a single 256 Go SSD ?

 

RAID-0 is 2x times faster in sequential reads and writes than a single drive. In 100% random reads it is about the same as a single drive.

 

I agree on the theory, but in practice, it is really the case (with Sony's SSD) ?
May be there are some reviews on this ?

 

Hey folks.

Because the HDMI and VGA ports are so close together, it seems challenging at best to use both ports. I need to drive two monitors from the SE. Anyone have any helpful suggestions?

Also, anyone interested in the internal BR drive? If I solve the above issue and purchase this, I'm going to swap out the BR for a SSD.

Thanks -- and appreciate everyone's participation here. Super-useful information.

Christopher

 

Cut the extra plastic off the side of the VGA plug losing the threaded screw, and there is just enough room to use the HDMI port

Or get the dock

 

Thanks. I'm giving that a go as well. Fun times.

To their credit, the folks at the Microsoft Store -- where this thing costs just $860 after their various discounts -- have been incredibly helpful.

 

I have a docking station with two monitors connected. I could not get both monitors to work under windows. Since this setup works fine under linux, it seems to be a driver or configuration limitation rather than a hardware limitation.

 

Thanks for the note. Can other's confirm? My middle of the road HP and Lenovo laptops do two with no issues. Strange that a high-end device like this wouldn't enable that. I'm lovin' the SE, but not running 2 monitors -- even with the dock (!) is a deal killer for me.

Sgih

 

Is anyone hearing a high-pitched whine/noise when a device is plugged in to a USB port on their SE?

I've had my SE since late October and love it; I got the VPCSE16FX from CircuitCity. I did just get a USB mouse, and have since been noticing a high-pitched whine/noise whenever it's plugged in; i.e. it goes away pretty much immediately once I remove it from the USB port. And, as the same situation occurs with my USB headphones, it appears to be related to the USBs.

I've seen numerous other reports for different VAIO models about a high-pitched noise, and tried a few potential solutions to no avail (e.g. muting the microphone). It does seem that other models are displaying the same problem I'm experiencing, when stuff is plugged in to a USB, and in those cases it appears that people have resolved to get Bluetooth mice and try to not use their USB ports, which I don't think is the most ideal solution, obviously.

I have found that I can only hear this noise with one of my ears, so my guess is that even if it is appearing for others, some might hear it whereas others might not. Plus, it seems to be most noticeable when the room is fairly quiet. So, just curious if anyone else has experienced this and whether anyone has found a more viable solution besides not using the USB ports?

Thanks!

 

@tewill:

Is it just happening when you use 1 USB port?

I use two of them and don't notice any whine.

And are you using the 3.0 port or the 2.0 ports?

 

The noise is not coming from audio system My guess would be that your wall power outlet has noise/fluctuations or is weak. Easy to test this too: do you experience the same noise with plugged in USB device if you run on battery?

 

I haven't noticed any sound when my USB mouse is plugged in, regardless of whether it's plugged in usb 3.0 or 2, or running on battery or connected to power.

 

Does anyone have this laptop with a slice battery who could tell me what the battery life is with it?

 

Depends on what you are doing with it and how tight you configure your power saving settings.

Programming in Code::Blocks or Visual Studio I can get upwards to 5 hours half life out of it which would mean 10 hours more than likely, this is somewhat supported by the fact I can get pretty close to 5 hours out of it without the sheet battery.

On the other hand when I accidentally unplugged it playing some Skyrim I got about 2 hours.

 

Hi Guys,

I have been considering a Sony SE for a while and keen to purchase one. In the UK the the custom version VPCSE1C5E only offers a DVD writer as standard or Blu-Ray writer for an additional £370. I would like to have a Blu-Ray drive within the laptop but finding it hard to justify the additional cost Sony is asking.

How easy is it to upgrade a DVD drive to a Blu-Ray drive once purchased?

Could any owners with a Blu-ray drive, either player or writer pass on the part numbers so I can research if they are available to buy separately and fit myself.

I am aware there is a an Sony SE available in the UK with a Blu-Ray drive but it does not allow any upgrade on the graphics card or processor.

Thanks for your advice.

 

wow! i just noticed the high-pitched noises from my VAIO SA as well. i have a USB mouse plugged in one of the USB2.0 ports, and whenever i move it or click, i hear this noise. also with the mouse unplugged, whenever i type on the keyboard, i also hear it. so i don't think it's USB-related (at least in my case). it is very high-pitched and very faint. you have to listen very carefully to hear it, but it is there. i unplugged the power cord and let the machine run on battery, and the noise was gone. seems like it's indeed power-related, and i hope it's not bad for the machine.

 

Got my VPCSE13FXB yesterday from Amazon and the sheet battery will be delivered today.
Haven't opened the box yet. Planning to do it today and will change the SSD over the weekend.

Can someone point to bloatware that are safe to remove? Thank you.

 

I installed fresh and kept the Sony Shared Library, Vaio Control Center, and Vaio Smart Network.

I installed all the drivers; even if windows installed one.

Have had no problems.

I think the only necessities from Sony are Control Center (requires shared library), Video Driver, and that firmware extension driver. I think the rest of the drivers can be retrieved straight from the source or Windows/Update and used.

 

Thanks.

When you say you kept the shared lib, do you mean you copy and paste it? Did that work?

 

I've noticed it both when using just one USB port as well as two simultaneously. I was under the impression it occurred regardless of the USB port I was using, but my testing was pretty informal, and I need to take a closer look to make sure that is actually the case.

I think this weekend I'll spend some time looking more closely into this, and try some other stuff like different outlets, on battery power, as well as reinstalling the drivers for my MS Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 along with possibly all the drivers for the USB controllers, and see what happens.

Don't really see this as a significant issue; it's just more of an annoyance when it's really quiet and I get too focused on it. Plus I guess it's good I can only hear it with just one ear anyway

 

please check to see if typing on the keyboard also makes the same high-pitched noise as moving the mouse does. it happens on my VAIO SA. unplugging from the power outlet fixes it.

 

Ahh no, I mean by kept it was things installed that were odd and sony specific.

It is in the driver downloads. It has to be installed for control center to work.

 

For those having USB high-pitched noise, what firmware are you on?

I am on the newest Sony firmware and have never had this issue.

 

Yes, the off center keyboard is unusual, but I'm starting to get use to it, as others who buy it will.
However, I'm really liking the dedicated keypad. I always hated having to use the upper numbers on my old laptop, since I'm a "hunt and peck" typist.

 

The interesting thing is the new Envy 15/17 thread is so full of people wanting to buy one and saying there isn't any other notebook with FullHD that compares to it at $1100 (and that's with a 33% discount coupon). And they are complaining the 15 doesn't have BluRay.

While here is the Sony SE, with BluRay that goes for around $1100 or even $800 discounted from the Microsoft store. Brand loyalty isn't just Apple thing.

The SE feels heavy now that I've been playing with a Tosh Z835 ultrabook... but the screen is heavenly (even with TangerineGate). I'm a bit sad I missed out on the Microsoft Store discount... but then I would have a black SE instead of the silver one, which I like much better.

And the sound is much better with the Dolby on, so Bieber sounds awesome (joke).

 

Just owndering - does the silver finish accumulate fingerprints less than the balck finish on the SE and thanks. Still considering this laptop to replace my old T400.

Gary

 

The silver hardly shows fingerprints.

And actually... the black isn't that bad... it's a matte black so unless you have super oily fingers... it's okay.

 

@BigNerd
Have the Sony SE the same Case Size like other 15.6 Notebooks?
It's look like the SE is a little bit bigger.

Sorry for my bad english.

 

@RockTN:

It's a bit wider... although technically the screen is smaller at 15.5".

I have a backpack for 15" notebooks and it fits in fine, just to the edge but okay. You may want to look at 16" cases.

And your english is better than my german.

 

Thx for the quick Answer.
I think i purchase the Sony Vaio SE. I will buy the SE directly from Sony, i hope they deliver before christmas. (Delivery Time 2 - 3 Weeks)

 

Has anyone in the U.S. who ordered a CTO right around Thanksgiving received any new updates on their unit? It looks like mine is finished being built but have yet to receive any word of shipping.

 

I ordered mine cyber monday with an estimated ship date of dec 8. And I still haven't received any shipping updates either. I was gonna email them, but just decided to wait a couple more days for the shipping update. So your not alone brother!

 

Their online system is lagging for order status updates. You may as well receive shipping notification a day before the product arrives at your doorstep. Besides, all the shipping companies (I believe Sony uses FedEx) are overloaded now delivering Christmas presents. Ha-ha, should'n Santa deliver those himself?

 

Yeah, I figured this was probably due to the holidays more than anything. I've ordered two CTOs prior to this one earlier this year and both actually made it to me before Sony's estimated ship dates on both. This particular time I received a one-day delay email and it has since passed the projected 12/06 ship date with no new indications to progress other than my card finally being charged the other day.

 

I ordered mine on Nov. 28 (Cyber Monday) as well. Sony sent me the shipping info this morning (a day later than the estimate). It's currently in transit from Yantai, China.

I'm definitely not looking for a repeat of my HP HDX16 order two years ago when they had a lot of trouble clearing the laptop shipment through US Customs in Alaska. That laptop was delayed for over a week.

 

Hmm, well, here's hoping I hear something soon. Mine was ordered on the morning of Thanksgiving day.

 

Just received my shipping update.
eta 12/15.
A question about the fan. I read that it was EXTREMELY loud. How is it now? Did it get fixed with a bios update? Or is it still like a jet taking off?

 

Yeah, I received an estimate of 12/15 now, too. Of course the moment I ask something online is the same time they send me an email.

 

I've hardly heard mine since the day I got it, but then again I don't game on it

 

Have to agree with rickuk here, I hardly hear mine even when gaming. Generally speaking it doesn't get to jet stage, however yes if it's taxed and set to performance cooling it will go jet mode.
This is while playing Skyrim on High Detail at 1920x1080. I play it on a cooling pad and generally speaking don't hear the notebook's fan over the cooling pad.

Even without the cooling pad it has to be taxed pretty good before the fan goes to max.
Many have complained about the fan and heat issues but mine has never gone over 75 and I rarely if ever have my fan go above max.

Maybe some of us were lucky or maybe different games treat the system differently, I don't know.

 

Neuntoner, what's your fan settings (Thermal Control in Vaio Control Centre)? Are you using speed (6630) or stamina mode (HD3000)?

Before, I had 80C with Stamina on Performance Mode (fan). Fan is a jet.
I now have 66C with Stamina on Silent Mode (fan). Fan is louder than idle, but not a jet.

I had 68C with Speed on Silent Mode (fan). Fan is louder than idle, but not a jet.
No result for Speed on Performance Mode, yet.

CPU throttling appears in Silent Mode, not if the Switch is turned to Stamina.

 

Hi, guys!

At last, I 've read all of this thread!
Precious and abundant information, thank you!

One more question: Is this notorious BIOS of the Vaio SE, UEFI?

 

I have only had it in Stamina Mode while testing out WiDi and while traveling where all I did was programming and had it set to silent mode.

I didn't check temp while doing WiDi but I did while traveling and ran around 45 the whole time.

While I use it around home I keep it on performance. and still get around 45 while interneting and programming etc.

What kind of things are you doing when the temp is that high?

 

the info is probably somewhere hidden in this thread already, but I couldn't find it. which kind of SSD is built in in the SE if you order it from Sony? Specifically the 128 GB one.

 

When I use the internet, it is 40 on Stamina mode, 47 on Performance mode. Internet is not very CPU/GPU stressful.

Those high temperatures that I got were from playing a multiplayer racing game on medium graphics, 1366x768.

 

Just broke the seal on mine and wow, what a machine. WEI is 5.3 because of the graphic card and the hdd is 5.7 so I clean installed Windows 7 Pro on my Vertex 3 128gb ssd and I got 7.8. Windows installation took 9 minutes. The windows starts in 13 second from restart.

Anyone care to share your WEI numbers and your SSD benchmark using AS SSD?

 

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2640M CPU @ 2.80GHz

6.4​

Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB

5.9​

Graphics Intel(R) HD Graphics Family

6.9 ​

Gaming graphics 1696 MB Total available graphics memory

6.9 ​

Primary hard disk 175GB Free (238GB Total) - Crucial M4

7.8​

 

Runned the test on high (windows settings), and performance mode (VAIO Controll center)?

Befor I did the test as descibed above, I also got lower on both CPU and RAM!


My score;


Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2520M CPU @ 2.50GHz
7.1

Memory (RAM) 8.00 GB
7.5

Graphics Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
6.7

Gaming graphics 6630m
6.7

Primary hard disk 61,7GB Free (111GB Total) - Kingston HyperX

7.8