Sony Vaio Duo 13 Owners Thread

did you get Ubuntu to install at all. been trying to dual boot but when I click install all I get is black screen

 

Very candid and honest opinion. Appreciate it. I think we all look for different things. I used to be a lot like you. Why pay more when another company is selling another with similar specs? However, as I get older, it's now more than just specs for me. The things you mentioned is what's more important to me now; build quality, innovation, etc. I'm willing to pay more for these things. I like how you lump Sony and Apple together. Many would be willing to blast Sony for being overpriced while going out the next day and picking up a MacBook.

I wonder if sleep mode issues has to do with specific programs or apps.

 

Have you updated the Touchpad driver to 16.5.1.4 (on the Sony Support site) ? I had the same problem until I updated.

 

There is also a performance distinction between tablet and laptop mode that should be considered.

 

Hi, could you please tell me where did your uncle buy it? I'd love to get the Duo at that price, but I'm from Italy, and it's sold everywhere at 1500 euro.

 

Yes I did update that driver, prior to that update the touchpad wasn't even working properly. Just few hours ago it auto rebooted again when it was asleep

 

I am trying it out. I have problem. The upgrade went fine. However, after running the VAIO update program, the screen because fuzzy and flickers. I think there is some problem with the Graphics Driver.

Still trying.

 

Windows is probably still doing updates.

Give it couple of days...

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

 

OK, spent may hours trying to solve a problem, but it is working now.

Upgrade is possible, just run the set up program. The problem lies with the graphics driver version 9.18.10.3222 in the 8.1 RTM. The screen will start to be speckled and flickering. You have to use the HDMI output to control the screen. Go to Device Manager/Display Adapter/Driver and do a Roll Back Driver.

The screen should return.

PS: you may need to get some tools to find out the actual product code and then use this product code to activate.

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks for sharing you experience! I will receive my Duo 13 tomorrow or the day after and wish I could just start of with the most recent Windows version now that its final. I used the customer preview before on my Macbook and once you are used to 8.1 you don't want to miss it as quite a few things are much improved. Let me know how things are going! I'll see when I will find the time to also install it on the Duo...

 

I can confirm this noise on the backside IN STANDBY!
Last week, Sony has repaired my Duo13 (new motherboard). But this sound I also there. When I got it back, there ws no noise. But after 20 minutes use and then standby, it came back.
No skype, no other background-jobs.

This "bbbsbsssttt" makes me mad I don't know what I can do. Only when I shutdown the device, it stops "bbbsssstttt knock knock knock"...

 

I am also having the noise issue with a brand new duo 13. It didn't make the noise first few days I used it. Now I am hearing it as well. The only software I have installed so far from the fresh start configuration was Chrome. I don't know if this is an EMI or something else...

 

I have hear of notebook making noise like that before, it has something to do with power regulators or certain cpu`s and the frequency they run at, do you have the same cpu, if someone has the i5 and another the i7 and they both make the noise that would rule that out, and then it might just be some power regulator noise.

John.

 

I have i7-4650u.

 

One way to check the battery loss is to go to the command prompt and type:
powercfg /batteryreport

This will create a document called battery-report.html in your home directory. You can read this with a browser and determine how fast your battery has been used over the last 72 hours. It is very helpful.

Additionally, I found a workaround to not being able to use the keyboard and trackpad at the same time. It involves a lot of manual changes to the registry though...

 

Nope my version doesn't have 3G. It's an asian model. You are right that a business device doesn't need gaming power, but as I said: I'm usually looking for the biggest bang for the buck or at least a "fair" price tag. The Vaio Duo 13 (i5, 128GB) if without any bugs (I also have this noise at the power input), is worth around 900 Euro in my opinion. If it was a no name product with ugly design and more plastic instead of magnesium, I would pay 820 Euro. Sony Vaio duo 13 as intended is a nice piece of toy. Enough power for standard task like internet, music and movies combined with great battery life. But it's not worth 1500 Euro (price in Germany)

What's making me angry is that if you want 256GB storage, 8GB LPDDR3 RAM and a i7, you have to pay 400 Euro on top. It's not only Sony who charges abnormaly more money extras.
But let me calculate: The difference between a 128GB and a 256GB SSD is usually 70 Euro. 8GB RAM...lowpower ram, dunno, maybe 50 Euro (probably less because of b2b) and the difference between the i7 and the i5 shouldn't be more than 50 Euro. At worst case all in all the upgrade shouldn't cost more than 170 Euro. Usually in our normal life you pay a better ratio if you decide to take more from the same, e.g. XXL packs of potato chips, super size burger menu or internet: 10 bucks more and you get double internet speed or traffic.
I understand why people pay more for design and quality (or at least associate brands with quality), workforce in japan is of course more expensive than in china (but you don't know how many percent is really made in japan), but Sony is not the same as 20 years ago and the market has changed.
Again: 400 Euro for an upgrade. With this amount of money I could built a Desktop PC with more power.

I got mine from Vietnam. I'm from Germany and the price is very similar here in comparison to the price from italy.

 

I also have the i7-4650u.

Is there anybody else with this cpu and the noise-problem?

In standby, there is the noise and the knock knock knock...
In normal-mode there is only the noise.
My problem is:
I can hear the "knock knock" in 2 or 3 meters in a calm room.
Not good for hotel rooms when I have to sleep near the duo.

 

Doublepost. Please delete.

 

I've searched the thread but couldn't find an answer. How many monitors can you connect to the Duo 13?

 

Yes, I've noticed the same thing occurring on my machine. The other Sony support apps are quick to load but, control centre takes a very long time?

 

Sony told me it was normal. Yeah, right. I've had Vaio's in the past and none of them took this long for Control Center to load. I'm sure it's a bug.

 

When I received my limited red duo 13 had the same issue, also the touchpad was not responding to two finger inputs (scrolling, zoom etc...) Went to Sony support site and downloaded touchpad software, which not only enabled two finger inputs but caused control center to open immediately. Hope this helps.

 

I bought the 13.3 duo, but returned it after noticing a significant backlight bleed on the top of the screen.

I can't believe Sony's negligence in selling what can be a really great product for a hefty $1500 and have this issue.

I returned the unit, but wonder if I buy the unit and get sony to fix the screen through their support can they replace the screen?

 

Anyone already installed Windows 8.1 RTM on it?

 

I have a problem with the backlit keyboard and I hope someone here can help. Basically, the light doesn't come on if it's dark. If I go into the vaio control center, I am able to force the light on if I select the option to always have it on. If I select the option to only turn it on in low light conditions, the backlit won't come on at all. Even as I type this, I'm sitting in the dark and the backlit is off. Is there anything else I can do besides returning or is there another option I'm missing?

 

I've got the same noises, and I am convinced it is processor throttling / idling. SO, I'd like it fixed, but it doesn't overly concern me. I considered swapping mine (from John Lewis is the UK) but the display model was doming the same.

It happens when the computer is not being tasked heavily (so it's more likely to happen without background processes). If I do anything that increases the process load, there is no noise.

I think it's all to do with the controlled power management on the computer; there is very little control we can add as users. Maybe something to do with the Intel 'Collaborative Processor Performance Control'?

IF it is idling, then I think it could be tweaked in software / power management.

 

Actually I did it myself by now.
First, the Screen went all crazy, when I then uninstalled the Screen device Driver, Windows 8.1 RTM seems to work great on the Duo 13.
Except for some small Resolution issues with some Images/logos on Internet sites. Must be a scaling issue.

But else, Windows 8.1 is working (the preview did not...) on our Duo 13

 

Do you have an i5 or i7 cpu, because three other owners with the noise have the i7 version, nobody with the i5 has said they are having the noise yet.

John.

 

same noise too. I7 4650u.
more detail in this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/729627-duo-13-electronic-noise-adapter-laptop.html

 

where did you get your windows 8.1 rtm. I tried thumperDC one and just get errors

 

Wow, thank you for the information. I followed what you said and now control center opened immediately. It's interesting that my Duo 13 didn't have any Synaptics software installed. I wonder why.

 

Google.com

 

anyone able to confirm if secure boot is supported? is there an option in the bios?

 

It's true, it is really expensive. I'm also from Germany but I was lucky. Got the 256GB SSD upgrade for free (Sonylimitied discount) and got a 10% discount cause the onlinstore was offline for a day. I payed 1600€ for i7, 8GB, 256GB, 4g, screen protoctor but im still afraid that the wifi is horrible. 400€ for an Upgrade is much, I know, the question for me was if the i7 is worth the money (I think it isnt, but I got it) and about the Destop PC, it isnt lightweight and has not much features like the DUO ;P.

 

Yes there is an Option to enable and disable Secure Boot

 

Hi can you confirm that video streaming and video playback now work in the rtm version as this was the main problem for me on the preview. also I was getting diagonal lines on ie web pages

 

I've got i5. But, as I said the on display model did it as well.

If I have it in a really quiet room, where I can hear the noise, then open something, the noise stops (until the processor 'spike' has stopped).

I have to say I did initially have a Pro 13 (prefer the Duo build, and screen). The Vaio Pro that made a slightly louder version of this noise, when plugged in (so, I thought it was the power adaptor). With the duo, I hear no difference on battery or plugged in.

 

Also, when you say 'screen device driver' do you mean you installed the default display driver, and instead installed the latest one?

 

Sorry, not got the hang of quoting on this forum yet :/

 

Another reason to get the Duo 11 if the battery life is not an issue, my i5 version is silent.

John.

 

Exactly. Windows 8.1 RTM does only run at this time using the Default Windows Video Driver, which is not really fast.
One HD 4400 Driver will break the whole Thing, another one just installed fine, but no game would load.

So if you want to use Windows 8.1 RTM, you can, but dont expect lots of Video power until Sony is releasing real Drivers...
But with the Default Video Driver, you can still use Windows 8.1 RTM quite good...

Btw. yes, the Video app does work now - until now (except for the not supported Video Driver yet), everything is workign great.

 

Anyone have a recommendation for a replacement power adapter for the Duo 13 that exactly match the Duo 13 voltage requirements but at a better price? Sony wants almost $80!

 

Power Charger AC Adapter 10 5V 4 3A VGP AC10V8 for Sony Vaio Duo 10 11 13 Series | eBay

Best Regards,

Shane

 

I found an orignal psu for £32 if you are in the UK or can get it delivered.

It`s says duo 11, but is it the same as the duo 13 psu?

40% Off 50W 10.5V 4.3A Genuine Sony VGP-AC10V8 DUO10 DUO11 SVD11 Touchscreen Ultrabook Adapter [VGP-AC10V8] - £31.63 : UK Laptop Adapters,UK Laptop Adapter, Laptops-Adapter.co.uk

John.

 

I'm also not happy with the clicking sound especially if I want to use this device in a meeting. It's the tape still working for you?

 

I just received my Duo yesterday. So far I am quite happy running Windows 8.1 without any issues. Only VAlO Update and .NET Framework 3 (with dism command) I couldn't install so far. I'm just worried about one thing: I noticed that the fan on the back keeps turning also if the device is in standby. I even shut it down and it would still run for some time. This is worrying as I carry it around in a sleeve and it might get too hot. I almost didn't use it in the morning before leaving (no heavy workload) only quickly switched it on. Is this normal?

 

Can anyone comment on Dropbox syncing? Im getting up to 20kbps on my i5 if 'm lucky, which is abysmal! It's not my router as I get much faster speeds on my desktop. Related to the duos dodgy wireless perhaps? Hanging out for this official fix from Sony

 

It's probably because windows is indexing files and also updating. Give it couple of days


Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

 

Thanks for your reply! So is it ok to just put it in the sleeve when in standby even if the fan is still running (on very low level of course)? Just a strange feeling...

 

I really like the $14 price but there is a power output difference... The Duo 13 PSU outputs 10.5 V 3.8A and this adapter outputs the same 10.5 V but 4.3A. Would that make a difference?