Sony Vaio Duo 13 Owners Thread

Do you guys and gals think I should get a cooler like the lap style?

 

I looked through the forum and couldn't find the name of the program people mentioned that tells you how much time is left on your battery. Could someone please re-post it? Also, has anyone tried to add OS X to the SSD so that it can dual boot? I want to do that, but my skills are a little limited so I'm nervous I'll hit a problem.

DO NOT INSTALL WINDOWS 8.1 YET. I did and it seemed to be working great until I tried to stream Hulu, then I tried Netflix, and finally just a video I downloaded. None of the videos would play. I tried in the Modern apps and in the legacy mode. internet explorer. Just wait a bit, drivers not out yet for this device for windows 8.1. Everything else seemed to work, though.

I've played with my new computer and I really like it. I do have a few issues, but overall I think it was a great purchase.

Issues:
WiFi
Some programs randomly stop responding
Power and volume buttons hard to press
WiFi-again, this is a bit of a big issue
Feels like I might break something by moving the pen while it is clipped

Good:
Fast
great viewing angles
Battery
Nice keyboard
Great keyboard back-light (I have the black model)

 

The below post by bond00 a few days ago should help.

 

Battery care: tested it and works great...originally posted by Couger post #747
BatteryCare

Is this even possible?

I bought a Hercules USB WIFI 802.11n N300 (HWNUm-300 ), although this is an old model this works really great...much better performance and it only costed 15€ !

 

As for OS X

It is possible on many Windows devices. It will very likely be possible on this device, but I don't know if people have created the hackintosh drivers yet, or if it even needs any.

http://www.hackintosh.com/

 

any possible way to update japanese version of vaio software such vaio update etc to english version?

 

I'm rying to create a bootable usb with acronis 2013 to take a SSD backup but I can't get it working... I suppose the problem = me

 

I don't think that is possible but I could be wrong.

 

Was looking some youtube movies of this great device where a Sony spokesperson told that artrage Pro is included with this notebook? Do you have this? I cannot find it installed on my device?

 

You can buy from Sony Recovery Discs, maby there are some for the DUO 13. Ask Sony support about it.

 

Hey all....once you placed your order how long did it take to go from "processing" to anything else?

 

anyone managed to find the model number for the mobile broadband modem used in duo 13?
i cant seem to find it,

 

I'll check this evening when I'm from work but I assume this will depend of the region...

 

Artrage is on the computer. I ordered the computer June 16 - and it was shipped on July 10.

So far I do like it. I never used Windows 8 before - so I'm learning it and now getting used to it.

There aren't too many cons - the only one is the small plastic piece that holds the stylus - I know it's going to snap so I take it off and put it in my bag.

 

Thanks for checking Artrage... I cannot find it on my duo...
Indeed there should have been a place to insert the stylus like the solution in the lenovo's...
I also put it in my bag as it's always coming when I don't want it...

 

The stylus holder should have been something that you could just push back into the computer...a pop out holder of sorts.

Thanks for the other information!

 

Hi, I've got the i7 version and just wondering if I can make phone calls with my laptop with SIM card plugged in. Thank you!

 

^
No you cannot.

 

This was I found :
Device Name: HUAWEI Mobile Connect - 3G Modem
Hardware ID
USB\VID_12D1&PID_1001&REV_0000&MI_00

 

i ordered my duo 2 days ago and now i was looking for a good case to carry it with me. the cases offered by sony just looks like they protect it against scratches but not against a real impact.
So anyone got a hint for me?

 

Anyone knows if the 4650U will arrive to europe and if not, if the US 3G/4G option will work in europe?

 

Mine is:

Huawei Mobile Broadband Module

USB\VID_12D1&PID_1573&REV_0228&MI_00
USB\VID_12D1&PID_1573&MI_00

 

For those who have a Duo 13 and have tried the included ArtRage Pro 3.5, do you have any issues with the pen registering properly for some tools? For example, on mine the pencil is so faint I have to press extremely hard to register a faint drawn line, but the paintbrush is fine. The airbrush seems to require more pressure than normal, but is at least usable. ArtRage has worked so well for me on a number of tablet PCs including the Duo 11 that I find this mystifying and I wouldn't think Sony would ship it with problems. I even tried uninstalling the bundled 3.5 Pro and installing my copy of 4.0 (deleting old prefs first). Same problem. Alias Sketchbook Pro, Sony's notes app and even Photoshop work properly (of course with no pressure sensitivity in PS since there's no WinTab driver). Just trying to figure out if I have an oddball problem or if this is pervasive.

 

I think the software is also dependable on region... I don"t have this ArtRage Pro 3.5 installed on my machine and also recovery of programs via vaio care doesn't show this software.

 

double post... please delete... thank you!

 

While anxiously waiting for sony to ship my machine to me, I have a question for you guys...

How do you plan to use the battery of Vaio Duo 13? To connect it to a AC power point whenever possible, as one would with a traditional laptop, or to connect it only when it has discharged sufficiently, as on would with a tablet? The two ways will definitely affect the battery life differently. I am not sure which one is better though...

Please share your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

 

The performance of the notebook is lowered when it's not connected to an AC power point so it depends what you want to do...

 

Thanks for the info. Can't it be configured to bring up the performance when not connected? Sorry but I've never used Win 8 before.

 

Ready-to-ship models of the Vaio Duo 13 in stock now on Amazon.

Meanwhile, still waiting for FedEx to update tracking status. Should've received a status update yesterday...

 

Would it be possible to boot via an external usb dvd-reader ?

 

I can confirm the amazon usa availability, I ordered one yesterday and paid an extra 5.99 with my prime membership for overnight and it will be here today. Also of note--I chatted with amazon customer service--and despite some confusing return statement on computers---they assured me that within 30 days the computer is fully refundable for any reason.

The wifi issue makes me a little nervous but I had a sony duo 11 for a few months and remember it was weaker with more drops but not in any way that broke my work flow significantly---I sold it because I found the keyboard horrific.

 

Do you guys think it requires a laptop cooling device? I've always used these with every device except for my TF201 so just wondering should I use with this device?

 

I don't think it needs any cooling device. I've been using mine - and it really doesn't get hot at all - at least to me. My laptop would get warm when I used it - but this computer doesn't
seem to come close.

 

If the Duo 13 is anything like the Duo 11, I would say no. My i7 stays cool w/o any fan noise whatsoever for everyday tasks. Of course when do something more intensive like transcode a video, the fan spins... but that is typically because I set the Duo to full fans and full i7 CPU use when I'm about to do something like that.

 

So the Duo 13 is the machine I originally wanted when I bought my Duo 11. I've grown to be exceedingly happy with my 11 however, so before I even consider switching I am wondering has anyone posted any comparisons (preferably with pictures) and if not, I know there are a ton of Duo 11 converts here.


Could someone post a quick mini-photo and text comparo between the Duo 11 and 13?

 

^
Here is a comparison

 

I would have posted some comparison pics between the the Duo 11 and Duo 13 but I sold my Duo 11 before my Duo 13 arrived.

I am happy that I upgraded to the Duo 13. I love the larger screen and larger keyboard. I also prefer the trackpad over the optical nub. The trackpad is small but surprisingly useful. I find the screen of the Duo 13 less bright but the colors are better. Battery is a lot better on the Duo 13...for me twice as good.

 

Does anyone know if the US model with LTE has a SIM card slot or not? I heard the module is built in, is it true?

 

Thanks for the cooling info...makes it even more portable...jeeze sony ship mine soon...lol

 

I would appreciate if anyone share some insight on this issue that was previously reported by another use.

When I press the power button, it puts the laplet into sort of sleep mode. now sometimes, it wakes up and error massage will pop and stays on till the batter is drained. I will take a pic of screen next time when happens but has anyone experienced similar issue that drains the battery?

Thanks

 

I have a Duo 11 - which I think is a fantastic machine - but am certainly attracted to the Duo 13 bigger screen, trackpad and 8 mp rear camera for documentation purposes. The comment about the Duo 13 screen being "less bright" is a worry as I like the really bright Duo 11 screen when needed and the sharpness of text on it. Is text as clear or clearer on the Duo 13; given the same pixels over the larger screen size but the Triluminous display? Also, one great feature of the Duo 11 - with several sheet batteries - is the ability to use it all day and night without having to plug in, by simply changing the extended sheet battery. Plus the sheet battery can be charged using the same charger - a rare feature in my experience with other convertibles and tablets in the past. Looks like the loss of that option was perhaps the price of the high quality rear camera. Guess Sony could not incorporate everything; and, for most users, the the very good Duo 13 battery life will be more than adequate - still, shame the extended battery option couldn't have remained. May mean having to plug in somewhere for day and night road warriors - or, use a third party extended battery.

 

good question, can someone answer this?

 

I checked but I see only display and battery options? (stripped by Sony i guess)

 

Hi wondering if anyone can help i tried to update my duo 13 to windows 8.1 preview and the installation failed and my computer will not boot into the bootable USB i created and there is know no OS on my system :-( has anyone got a recovery for the original oem windows 8 they can upload for as im quite screwed thx in advanced

 

Duo 13 Owners!

To truly see and appreciate the TRILUMINOS Display's accuracy (96% of sRGB gamut on Duo 13) you must download this Sony 4K TV demo from youtube and playback using Windows Media Player (X-Reality Engine kicks in) You will simply be amazed by what it can do! Many friends became true believers after seeing this tech! Notice the subtle gradients of Red (Doesn't look orange btw) I highly doubt the ATIV Q would have this accuracy.

Use this to download the Original 4K upload from Sony/Youtube! 4K Download | Free and useful applications for PC, Mac and Linux

 

I know this thread is about the Duo 13, but after having gotten mine and had a poor experience (hardware issue, plus a couple things I just didn't like over my Duo 11), thus returning it...I'm hoping Sony refreshes the 11 soon. Does anyone have an idea when/if this might happen by the end of the summer? I really like Sony products but if I can't find a decent option with the features I've been wanting, I might have to start looking to others. I've gotten both the Duo 11/13 with max CPU/RAM options, and both seem to have their quirks, but for the most part I loved them. Just after using both for a decent amount of time on the go (the Duo 11 I had for around 6 months, the Duo 13 for only the last week and a half) I have realized what my perfect machine would be, so I'm hoping a refresh of the original with the pluses of the 13 and additional enhancements might come.

My wishlist would be for a 2.25-2.5lb Duo 11 (with an 11.1" display vs the 11.6" to shrink it down just a little bit for more portable tablet use, a slightly higher PPI, minor battery improvement, and easier to handle with touch typing because of the shrinking of width/bezel), a 5000mAh battery at the same whr as the Duo 13 (~8hrs of lighter use @ 50% brightness would be just fine, and could keep the weight down) with the i7-4650u HD5000 graphics + 8GB RAM, maybe enlarge the trackpad from the 13 by about 1/4." Everything else could stay the same and it'd be perfect for me. Maybe change the layout of the ports and buttons again, as the Duo 13 kind of placed them oddly along with buttons (assist and volume) that need more travel, but not a huge deal there.

Anyone else hoping so?

 

Hello Friends! Glad to share with you a new video review of Duo13 from Mobile Tech Review on YouTube:

Sony VAIO Duo 13 Review - YouTube

 

Did anyone order DUO 13 SVD13213CXW or SVD13215PXB a ready to ship versions from United States? I heard that US versions don't have GPS, WIFI Router and 3/4G MODULE (sim card slot as well), is it so? Can anyone confirm it please???

What about customized versions of Duo13 which come with At&t 4G wireless mobile broadband? Does it use a standard simcard and Can it be unlocked for international usage???

Thanks a lot for replies

 

^
The Duo 13 in the US doesn't come with GPS built in. The wifi router isn't bundled or sold in the US. The WAN is only available on specific models or CTO. The WAN uses a microsim and it's probably sim locked. About unlocking, I haven't seen any info about it.

 

I tried updating to 8.1 and posted that the drivers aren't ready. Once I updated I could not watch a video. No streaming from the net, apps or just one I had on my computer. I didn't have this issue, though. Mine allowed me to log in and I was able to reformat. I'm sure you've tried this already, but have you tried safe mode?