Sony Vaio Duo 13 Owners Thread

Not noticed any significant backlight bleed with my Duo 11 - I can see it a little bit on a black screen but unnoticeable otherwise. As to the noise, I find the surface with the screen protector much more pleasant - it's quieter and the slightly rough nature of the surface means it feels much more like writing on paper. However, I'm no artist so I don't use the pen that much. Also, it's less of a fingerprint magnet!

 

Yeah, I did. I went through all the tech support and they determined it is a hardware issue...but I just decided I'll return it for a refund and hold out for a Duo 11 refresh. If they just shrink the 13 down to the originals size with all of the same spec options and enhancements, battery life, and keyboard improvement, it'll be perfect. Maybe even cut the weight down to around 2.5lbs (maybe by removing the back camera that most people likely don't care for, and possibly lower the price by doing so). As is, the size just isn't usable like the 11 was (and even then it was on the edge of too large).

I'm also hoping by the time a new 11 comes out they'll have updated software/drivers, and Windows 8.1 will be out. Should make for an even better overall experience. I guess that should be IF a new Duo 11 comes out...

 

Can someone confirm if the USA models have ethernet built in on the laptop or not? I travel overseas in areas where there are no wifi but most hotel rooms have ethernet cables for web access.

Thanks,
UL

 

I spent about 40 minutes with Sony support last night. The technician remote accessed my duo but didn't even know how to access the power management settings and suggested I elevate troubleshooting to next level. I needed to go to sleep and didn't feel like bothering with more help.

I'm 90% sure I'm returning my duo 13 this weekend and opting for a MBA/ipad mini combo. I really wanted to use Onenote on a hybrid machine but my experience so far has been abysmal. I also feel like Windows 8 is two separate OSs inelegantly glued together. It's as if Metro doesn't communicate with desktop mode. I'll give it 2 more days and then it's back to Mac I go.

I also realized the Duo 13 form factor isn't for me. It is too heavy and sharp-edged to use as a tablet and the fixed angle of the screen bothers me a lot in laptop mode. Oh well...

 

There's no ethernet port on the laptop, and also the mini router is not available with Sony USA.

 

Mine has GPS (Glonass)...any suggestions as to what apps can take advantage of the built in GPS?

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk 2

 

What country did you buy yours from?

 

Well, I got around to gaming (only Dota 2 so far) on my Duo 13 with the i7-4650u, 8GB RAM, with HD 5000 graphics...and it destroys my old Vaio Duo 11 with the i7-3537u with 8GB and HD 4000.

I use to play at 1080p with medium render quality, medium textures, shadows low, and everything else either off or low to run at 30+ FPS. I can now run at 1080p, max everything (with AA on) and run at 25-30FPS, or just lower the render quality to medium with everything else on/max for 30+ FPS.

There's a huge difference in performance. I'd get to more, but atm I'm traveling and can't download additional games. Plus, I'll be returning it after this week, but it's still fun to benchmark games on it...almost makes me want to keep it (well, exchange for a replacement since mine has some problems) since there's no comparable touch convertible with the HD 5000 graphics right now.

 

Mine is the Hong Kong model with the built in LTE (from Huawei BTW).

 

Does the Duo 13 have light sensing for the screen brightness like phones?

 

I got my Duo two days ago, bought it as an 'upgrade' for my Vaio X, that's what it's supposed to be anyway The good and the bad so far:

i7-4500 / 256 / 8 / 4G

Good:
- Build quality, look & feel
- Performance / speed
- Screen quality & viewing angles, factory installed screen protector
- Sony sleeve is pretty good, not as pretty as the leather Vaio X one, but still, for 50$ it's decent enough to recommend

Bad:
- WiFi (abysmal)
- Auto screen dimming isn't working properly
- Auto keyboard backlight isn't working properly
- Face recognition (Fast Access) locks camera in wrong position sometimes making it useless untill you restart the Duo
- No updates or support available yet in my country, just error pages

Getting used to (compared to Vaio X):
- It's a little bit too heavy to use as a tablet for more than 30 minutes
- It's a little bit too heavy period
- fingerprints
- reflections
- feel of the pen (tried both tips): still doesn't feel like a real pen

Forcing myself to use OneNote for a couple weeks instead of my trusty pen and paper, we'll see where this goes

 

Yup, it does.

 

What country?

 

The Netherlands

 

Zirp Zirp, knock knock...

Since 2 weeks I playing around with the 13.
Great device!

But there is a thing, that makes me mad:

When I use the the duo there is a little sound from the power supply (battery-mode). It "sirres" a little bit. It's not a problem, but it is there.

My problem is:
When the duo is in connected standy, there is a knocking-sound from there. knock knock knock... I think it's about 3 knocks every second. It's not loud, but in a calm room, I can hear it in two or three meters of distance.
When I wake up the device, knocking becomes the "zirp" again...

Is this "normal" and I have to ignore it, or does only my device make this little noise?
Sony-Support could not tell me, I don't want to return it and get a new one with the same problemen, when this is normal.

 

Ordering a Duo 13 today. Any idea what the shipping weight is? Thanks

 

2.9 kilograms (box and contents+lots of bubble wrap and the WAR100 router)

 

Roughly 7lbs. Appreciate the help. Thanks.

 

Didi anyone order SVD13215PXB - a ready to ship model from sony store for US? Does it have a sim card slot on the back, supports GPS and comes with wifi router and ethernet port on the adapter? Please answer if you came across with it...

 

Interesting SKU from Newegg.

Link: Newegg.com - SONY VAIO Duo 13 Intel Core i5 8GB 128GB SSD 13.3" FHD Touchscreen Ultrabook Carbon Black (SVD1321BPXB)

A ready-to-ship i5-8gb RAM-128gb SSD- Win8Pro combo? In-stock, too.

 

From what I know, it doesn't come with built in WAN or GPS or the WAR100 router.

 

Thanks. Is WAN a 3 or 4G mobile broadband connectivity? Do You mean this? Can advise please which country is preferrable for the model with sim card slot and internal model which we could use worldwide with relevant mobile operators's service?

 

Hey, has anybody else (in the U.S.) with a shipped Duo 13 on the way been tracking it on the FedEx page and seen a clearance/customs delay in Memphis, Tennessee? I know short delays are normal, but I just want to make sure that I'm not the only one and don't have to make some phone calls.

 

Also, to those who purchased their VAIO Duo 13 from the Sony USA online store, did the power brick indicate anything about voltage? 100-240V? Thanks in advance.

 

Yes. It was because it is an international package. I called to make sure everything was fine early this morning. Mine just passed the delay 20 minutes ago. The delay was also taken into account for the estimated time they said. Normal international customs check.

 

Anyone know how to enable data or program activity to continue running in the background when you put the Duo 13 to sleep? My Duo 11 would always continue doing whatever it was doing when I hit the power button to put it to sleep. My Duo 13 suspends whatever I'm doing until I wake it up. It's annoying since I am downloading games on Steam and don't have any reason to leave the display on or anything else to be running except the games downloading in the background, but it always suspends my internet connection and game downloads. Can't seem to find any settings for this in power options (I know they made those limited currently anyways) or anywhere else.

 

Thanks. Mine recently passed as well and is still on schedule.

 

When I say WAN, that includes 3G and 4G. Models from Europe and most Asian countries should have the WAN simfree whereas in the US and Japan they are locked to a certain mobile operator.

 

Anyone know if the SSD on the Duo 13 is a standard unit or is it Sony's proprietary? I would be interested in being able to upgrade in the future...

Thanks,
UL

 

any alternative carrying sleeve for duo 13?
i didnt like zip type of vgp-ck2, for those who bought it, share your experience with me.
i liked vgp-ck1 though, but sadly its for 11inch

im sure there r not much alternative sleeve for this hybrid.

 

FYI I contacted sony about the WIFI issues and they said that it should be taken care of via driver updates soon.

 

It is an M.2 (NGFF) SSD, which is the next industry standard form factor for SSDs meant for ultraportables. As a result, it will likely be replaceable.

 

Thank you!

 

I couldn't resist it, so I ordered a Duo 13 yesterday on sony.com (USA). Initially the estimated shipping date was August 2nd, which was quite understandable, considering the huge demand. But then today, it is changed to July 12th, which is, behold, today! Could this be a mistake? I wonder.

But anyway I have to wait, since my friend in USA will need to ship it to me, who is currently outside it. So looking forward to it...

 

Not wanting to be pessimistic here but in my opinion this is also a very standard answer from support teams, meaning nothing...

 

Yeah, but we know now there are updated wifi drivers (that still need further enhancements) on some sony websites like the Brazil one. While I am still a bit skeptical on it, they might be working on it after all

 

Plex I understand but I'm hopeful! Something's gotta give somewhere...it's happening across the board on devices like the praised MacBook; got to be something in the software or drivers to affect so many random machines with such a wide variety of manufacturers all having such issues...the aliens have finally come and took our wifi!
Bust seriously, trying to hope for the best Plex, and hope we get what they promise

 

Agreed!
Yesterday I bought a USB Wifi 300-N Hercules stick for 15€ huh) to test it out... will test during the weekend if I get better results... I also bought via Ebay a USB 3.0 to RJ-45 Network stick in China... will have it within a few weeks...

 

I quite like the CK2. It does have a slightly bigger footprint than the Duo 13 itself.
IMHO it protects the Duo 13 better than the CK1 did with the Duo 11 (I had the CK1 with my Duo 11).

 

Just bought my Duo 13 earlier. Hope it gets here by next week.

Just curious, which color did you guys get? And how are the keyboard backlights on the white one? Heard that for the VAIO Pro they aren't that good for that particular color.

 

Anyone knows how to create a bootable usb-stick that actually works on this device? (Want to start acronis 2013 and other tools

I allways get the message that the usb is not bootable? Thx in advance! (I'm not an expert in this area)

 

Got my Duo 13 today. I agree about the Wi-Fi. My reception is fine, but speeds are lower than they should be, even with the new drivers. On the other hand, the new touchpad drivers are pretty good, they really improve recognition of horizontal two-finger scrolling.

 

Anyone know if msata form factor SSD drives will work in the Duo 13? Hoping to find someone who would know....

Thanks,
UL

 

Mine does not make that sound - FYI.

 

Mine is from the USA online store and shows 100-240v, 50/60hz.

 

Great. Just as it should. Was just making sure. Might just probably need to get one of those universal travel adapters for use over here. Thanks.

 

Someone mentioned using a free(or donation) program called Battery Care( BatteryCare ). I have it and it works great. It sits next to the battery icon on the bottom right and shows % and time remaining. If you mouse over it shows power drain in Watts, CPU and HDD temps. When the battery is 100% it gives no estimate but shows one when 99% or lower.

 

I did not originally notice the clicking sound of the nib myself, but today at work someone commented that I was making a lot of clicking noises when they walked by me desk. I wonder if there are any felt nibs or a homemade fix to reduce the clicking? Both the black and grey nib seemed to click now that I am aware of it.

 

No, the Duo 13's SSD is the M.2 form factor.

 

I played Crysis on my Duo 13 today, set it to full 1080p and used "Optimal Settings" (which was mostly medium for graphics details, no AA, no VSync). I didn't measure FPS, but it was a very smooth and enjoyable experience. I messed around with the settings and tried adjusting some higher, with all details set to "High" it isn't unplayable, but a little too choppy for my tastes, "Very High" is not recommended. The display showed great color reproduction of all of the flora and fauna in the jungle, very vibrant. I've also run Star Wars: Battlefront 2 at 1080p with medium settings and gotten a very good result. I'm rather satisfied with the performance of the HD5000 so far and I have yet to attempt adjusting any settings or overclocking.