Sony Vaio Duo 13 Owners Thread

I've only seen the Duo at the store so not sure if this is feasible, but if you're desperate maybe you could velcro the pen to the left or right side which slopes down and inwards. The pen might be a little too thick for the notebook to lay flat, though.

If you're desperate and ambitious, you could fashion sleeve out of leather or whatever, with extra material along the side that can be stuck or velcro'd to the side of the notebook. Done right, the pen would sit more towards the outer edge versus the side that slopes down and inwards, and not interfere with the way it lays flat.

 

just been visited by a number of guys from Sony San Diego.. can't believe they flew all the way here to New York just to check my system out... there wasn't any specific fix but they were able to improve my wi-fi with a few tweaks and settings changes... they can't say much, though, regarding timeframe and any solution to the wifi problem they said they're working hard and i can attest to that; they were also trying some potential fix and i was able to see it first hand, at my own home!! hopefully, Sony sorts this out but i have no problem with their response so far; in fact i'm blown away!! they gave me a USB wifi dongle and a gift card of x amount; which isn't a bribe btw lol

 

Seconded. I'm actually considering super gluing the plastic clip holder into the relative "port." Although that really does not sound like an awesome thin to do to my computer, the holder is quickly degrading and seems to be popping out more and more often. Paranoia is setting in.

 

Nash35, you are misunderstanding the issue. The issue is with the I/O chipset not the CPU. The Duo 13 has a "U" CPU, that has a PCH(otherwise known as Southbridge) on package with the CPU. So it doesn't have a seperate chip, as with the standard voltage 37W, 47W, and 55W 4th Gen Core "Haswell" chips, and also the Desktop chips.

The on-package PCH is identified by "ID9C43" or "Haswell-ULT" on the CPU-Z section. "ID8C4B is the seperate PCH used by non U and Y Haswell chips. Those needed revision.

Summary:
-4th Gen Core with "U" or "Y" suffix are not affected. For example, Core i5 4200U, Core i7 4650U, Core i7 4558U, Core i7 4610Y
-4th Gen Core that's non U or Y is affected, but the second revision was being shipped in September. Desktop chips, H series, M series, and QM, XM.

 

I do 'like' the fact that the holder is made out of a plastic that's a lot softer than the casing material so there's far more chances of damage to the inconsequential holder than the case itself if anything is forced, but knowing Sony it'll likely be near-impossible to get hold of as a spare in the future. It just feels a little too hokey, and quite apart from breakage, as you say after a bit of wear and tear it seems too ready to drop off somewhere, leading to a lost pen.

 

so this is what it looked like last night when sony visited my house lol... probably 10-grand worth of laptops right there: you got the z, the s, duo 11, and a number of duo 13... one of them is a prototype; they didn't discuss what's on the inside though...

 

I wonder if the Duo 13 could squeeze into this case. It's not ideal (as it's not a folio style case so still requires the constant stowing and removal of the Duo 13). But it does have a dedicated pen storage slot. Though again, I'm not sure if it would fit the new pen that comes with the Duo 13.

http://sonyshop-ones.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2012-11-06

http://yagumo-camera.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2012-11-05

 

You could try contacting someone like Fabrix for a custom case.
fabrix - Custom Work

Long ago I realised that it's largely pointless having a specific custom notebook case made (because I change notebooks too often), but you might feel different.

If I was worried about everyday handling I'd go more towards having a custom vinyl cutout for it in the high-wear areas on the bottom, and trust the screen protector + a sleeve.

 

...You work for Sony in some capacity - There is no way in this universe that Sony would do that otherwise.

Hell, even if you worked for Sony I'm not sure it'd happen.

Either that or I've been teleported to a parallel universe today.

 

I don't understand why Sony wants to visit people's home, it sounds like they couldn't reproduce the issue, and all pro and duo they have working perfectly, but I don't believe so. Just hold a duo 13 in one hand and another device in other hand, walk away from router, you can see how quickly duo 13 drops than others, it's so easy to see the issue.

Sony is asking customers to work with company's tech team to troubleshoot voluntarily, I wonder if any other companies have done this ever

 

Do you have any notes regarding the tweaking and settings changes?

My Duo 13 is doing ok regarding wifi speeds (30-50 Mbs, pingtest.net class A) but it is still lacking compared to Sony Vaio Pro (around 80 - 90 Mbs) which I had for a month around before returning it for a refund. Both had the upload speed to around 10 Mbs.

Just wondering how could I get more out of my 100/10 Mbs connection.

 

Interesting... so I will check again why my USB3 mSata enclosure does not work with USB3 cable...
thanks

 

Regarding tweaks for wifi, I already put everything on http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony-owners-lounge-forum/718043-sony-vaio-duo-13-owners-thread-151.html#post9371688

By the way, today there was an update of wifi driver on my vaio for a july version (???), I am still at 270mbps and I got a few times at 300mbps. When I leave the computer untouched, it falls dawn to 24mbps.

If I reload a heavy web page, it goes back to 270-300.

 

I use an aftermarket USB 3 drive enclosure with an old 2.5" Patriot SATA SSD drive with the Duo 13 and have never had problems. For Intel Haswell chipsets that do have a problem, it's with resume after standby, not a general inability to use USB 3 drives.

 

Hi,

I recently ordered a Duo 13, which will be arriving in a week or so, and I wanted to try to hack together a screen cover. Can someone provide the exact measurements of the screen (physical edge-to-edge). The specs on Sony's site says '13 x 8.27', but I wanted to make sure. Is it exactly 13", or is it 1/16" shorter or longer?

Thanks.

John

 

Er... what's this about USB3? One of the things I was thinking about using a MadiFace XT with it when it's released to retail soon.


Also maybe a USB3.0 dock.

Does that mean these won't work at USB3.0 speeds?

 

I plan on using the Duo 13 for at least 3-4 years.

Although that case is nice, your two points make it irrelevant for myself. I really don't care to fuss around with a slip or stow case when I'm already taking out and putting my Duo 13 back into my back pack often. And the pen holder seems like it's made very specifically for the 11's pen, though perhaps it could still work. Either way, the former point renders it null, at least for myself. It'd have to be a really, really nice case for a great price to get me to consider a slip case.

 

I haven't made any changes to my wireless connection - what I did was to use 802.11AC access points more frequently around the house and make sure they're only connecting to the 5Ghz radio. All my Haswell devices now seem to be able to negotiate a >=300MBps connection with drastically fewer dropouts.

 

Just google 'adhesive pen holder' - there are a bunch of them available in plastic and metal that you could stick on the Duo. I've used this one on several tablets in the past - Amazon.com: Leuchtturm1917 Self Adhesive Pen Loop Notebook Accessory: Office Products.

John

 

for anyone who has Windows Pro and can't "add features" with the windows 8 pro activation key that came with the duo, just click the buy license option after you select the "add features to windows 8" option. You should see an option to buy the media center pack for $9.99. if you want it.

 

Why not just go with the Duo 13 case?

I have it, and seems to be very high quality and durable (imho) compared to many cases I have seen and tried in retail stores. Also it does fit with the duo 13 perfectly.

I don't worry about dropping duo 13 as long as it is inside it, but it is a bit bulky have to admit but it does fit into my satchel (man bag) and I cannot feel the weight which is the main thing as it is not a problem to carry the laptop around with me all the time.

 

I actually have this case.

It's pretty nice but a bit fiddly on how you insert the Duo (has to go in a certain way). Also it's not exactly form fitting, though I just think of it as extra protection should it be dropped on a corner. Definitely well constructed. I appreciate the rigidity of it.

However no pen holder (whereas the Duo 11 case has one).

 

Looks like it might be prone to rattling around though - will have to get one and see, I suppose. Either that or buy the Sony holders in bulk*...

*Though again, since I've already had it drop off in my backpack a couple of times, it's maybe not worth continuing with

 

IIRC Staples used to sell one that was a store brand that had a little tighter elastic than the Lechtturm one- might be a better fit (I haven't received my Duo yet so I can try it out).

John

 

Regarding whining noise associated with usb devices.

I discovered when I unplug my usb mouse receiver, the whining noise emitting from around the usb ports decreases a lot. Then as I suspected pb with usb 3 driver, I entered into the machine bios and disabled what is called EHCI support(usb 3 support). From then even with my plugged usb receiver, I don't have to bear the whining noise anymore but I lost usb 3 support!!!. Hope the bug will be fix sooner than latter.

 

Another question for everyone. I've just got off a Skype call - this was probably the first time I've called someone on this notebook - usually on the move I just use one of my handsets.

Halfway into the conversation it turned out I had video enabled. There was no preview for my end, and the camera light wasn't on. NOT COOL. Does the Duo 13 actually have a camera light, i.e. is mine broken?

 

The duo 13 has an "front camera indicator" to the left of the camera, i have the duo 11 and it comes on when the web cam in skype is operating, strange!

John.

 

I just checked in a desktop app and also bringing up that tiny preview icon in the Skype W8 app when you access settings - the light does illuminate. Looks like some sort of bug that when I *get* Skype calls and the other party doesn't do video but I do, I don't get a preview and the camera light isn't on even though I'm actually broadcasting video. Not cool in so many ways. I don't actually use my notebooks for Skype that frequently - it's mostly desktops or mobiles - so I'll have to test whether this is a) readily repeatable and b) happens in any of my other Windows 8 PC's.

 

Something I've used on every laptop/tablet I've owned since webcam control attacks became viable (and common): C-Slide - On Of Leading Webcam Cover Sellers. The v1.0 version is very slim and hardly noticeable. Of course, I'm an IT security consultant, so paranoia is a way of life for me

John

 

Yeah I'm definitely going to have to get something similar. I'm just concerned it'll block the light sensor which seems to be pretty close to the camera, so I might have to go for a different design (or strategically placed tape)

 

Hey guys I bought my Duo 13 over a month ago from the sony online store. I'm kinda fed up with the WiFi issues but it is too late for a return. Has anyone had any luck getting Sony to give them a refund for their duo 13? Thanks!

 

About the webcam, if my Vaio stands on the table the camera points aims so high, its maybe the half of my head on it, so I dont care I always use a book to put it under the back part to get a betther angle of the display and have the keyboard in a incline position...

 

I'm having the exact same experience. Really frustrating. Have scoured various places for info and fixes, but so far nothing. One suggestion was to uninstall Norton Anti-Virus, but did that and no luck.

 

Turn off your network before starting iTunes. There is a bug with iTunes and Win8. When iTunes starts initially it tries to go to the iTunes store and this causes some problem with Win8 resulting in the crash you are experiencing.

Once iTunes starts and cannot access the iTunes store, it should run properly. However, when you re-enable the network and go to the store it may continue to crash.

Good luck.

 

I got this from another forum. Add the following to your 'Path' System variable

;C:\program files (x86)\common files\apple\apple application support\

Access the path system variable by the following:

Control Panel -> System -> Advanced System Setting -> Advanced Tab -> Environment Variables

You'll have to scroll down on the system variables to find the path. Add the above line to the end of the path statement. Be careful not to delete any of the other items in the path statement. Reboot then iTunes should work fine, including the iTunes store.

Why this works, I have no idea.

 

So how is everyone coping with the wifi issue? Or how are you living with the poor signals / speeds?

 

I just put an AC access point with the 5Ghz radio exclusively dedicated to Haswell devices in every room I usually hang out with the laptops. When elsewhere I just deal with it, or stick close to the PSU AP (which the Duo itself doesn't connect to with all that high a level of reliability).

5Ghz is much more stable, as long as you're in range, than 2.4Ghz I find - less weird yoyoing or loss of connection. I imagine it's something to do with interference rejection issues on the Duo driver as well.

But while the Duo's better at holding onto 5Ghz connections, the decrease in throughout with distance is pretty extreme. ~4m (~13ft) away from any AP through one structural wall, throughput is down to zero. Even the Air - a notable poor wifi performer in prior versions, worse with Haswell - does slightly better. But this does mean that the Duo automatically connects to each 5Ghz access point in each room without problems, since it's totally lost the signal to adjacent AP's.

I can't help but feel given Sony's (lack of) response that it's partially a hardware issue. In which case there's no chance of Sony admitting to any fault.

 

I'm barely coping with WiFi poor performance. I've applied all suggestions in this thread but it is still not good. The major problem is that often after resuming from standby, the adapter status shows limited connectivity and won't be able to resume. The only solution I have found is to disconnect manually, enable flight mode, disable flight mode and reconnect again... This happen both when I'm at work or at public WiFi hotspot, not when I'm at home.

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2

 

I know it's not a cure as such, but as I mentioned 5Ghz (in my case, on A) pretty much eliminates this issue. Either way they need to fix it.

 

Sony have returned my computer after "fixing" the wifi issue but using inSSIDer software I can see no difference, I just had to go without my computer for five days. Also the issue where I lose my 2.4 wifi connection when I turn on my Microsoft Bluetooth mouse is still an issue. This is a great computer with one serious flaw. Come on Sony get this fixed!

 

I just bought access points for each room I use the Duo 13. Horrible solution I know, but unfortunately the Duo 13 is still the best convertible Windows 8 laptop out there if you want a digitizer, 1080P, Haswell, and 8GB of RAM.

Let's hope they fix the WIFI situation when the Vaio Flip ships. I plan to get the Flip 15 as long as it can be configured with a 256GB SSD rather than the silly hybrid drive they have advertized with that that only includes a 16GB SSD.

 

Only by dint of being the first out of the gate.

 

Problem is nonexistent for myself, and I use my Duo 13 across a variety of routers. My only beef is with the keyboard and the pen's plastic holder. And apparently my keyboard issues are not the norm. Oh well. I really love my Duo 13.

 

anyone tried to remove keys from the keyboard? my left ctrl seems a bit stucked down, and so it happen sometime that ctrl is pressed even if i dont press it. to press it i just have to touch (i really have to do no pressure at all) it... so i thought about removing and putting it back again would maybe help, but i dont know how the keys are fixed to the keyboard and dont want to break something

 

Does anyone have any issues with the touch screen lid not closing flush with the base of the machine? the top left corner when in tablet mode does not close perfectly, there is a tiny gap between the lid and the base and causes noise when I tap on my screen. before I return it for an exchange, just wondering if any of you guys have similar issues with this, or is mine just misaligned?

 

Looks like the Fit Flip is available now to buy. What are your thoughts on the value? I'm impressed by the price of the Fit Flip 15, matching the price of my Duo 13 with matching specs but with a whopping resolution of 2880 by 1620. The 14 and 13 are not as impressive being around the same price for the same specs as my Duo 13, making the choice more of a preference of form factor. Battery returns remain to be seen, and I'm guessing that's the trade off for the generous price of $1,650 for a 2880 x 1620 15" screen, 256gig SSD, 8gig of RAM, pen-supported (and included) tablet PC. The 15 also has a very wide variety of options to choose from, though that seems logical given its screen size.

Overall, I'm happy to say that I do not have buyer's remorse! I appreciate the form factor of the Duo 13 a lot more than the Fit Flip, especially when they cost about the same. But if I were in the market for a desktop replacement, I definitely would get the Fit Flip 15 with a 15.5" screen, resolution of 2880 by 1620; i5-4200U, 735M, 1 TB HDD with 16gig flash storage, 12gig of RAM, and a pen for $1,500. That sounds sick, and if I hadn't of wanted a very portable note-taking device for both home and college, I would have gotten it. My mouth is watering. I wonder how the battery life will be.

 

Looks like even in the new Flip series the WIFI issue is not fixed. How disappointing.

Source: Sony VAIO Flip 15 review: Sony's new convertible is cheaper, bigger than most

"For one, we sometimes had trouble maintaining a solid connection over WiFi. Other times, we were connected, but downloads proceeded at a snail's pace. Interestingly, we struggled with connectivity even while the VAIO Tap 11 and other computers thrived on the same network."

 

How much max autonomy without battery sheet ?

Sony planning to do anything about the WIFI issue ?

What other slider would you choose as second best ?

 

Thanks for the link. I'm disappointed with the battery life; I expected more from it, especially considering Haswell.

 

So Windows 8.1 realease is today.
Whos going to do it immedietly? I'm scared things won't work after I upgrade...