Sony Vaio Duo 13 Owners Thread

It's just for charging.

 

Anyone know of a laptop/tablet hybrid to upgrade from the Duo 13?

I love my Duo 13 even despite the WIFI issue and Windows 8 crippling the Tablet Input Panel for desktop applications but I am looking for a replacement laptop. Anyone know of another laptop on the horizon with the following features?

+ Better than 1080P resolution (ideally 4K)
+ About 15" or slightly larger
+ MUST have an active digitizer (Wacom or NTrig)
+ MUST be a laptop tablet convertible with a keyboard (slide out or rotate)

Other than that just the basic specs like at least 8Gb of RAM, larger than 256GB SSD...

Anything out there? I supposed the Flip 15 is a possibility but the poor battery life and the fan noise issues are a bit disconcerting.

 

Well after few months of "using" a Duo with USB WiFi dongle from Sony, I'm sending a Duo for a repair again. Not because of the issue is worst (it's same crappy and weak) but I don't want to use USB dongle all the time.

But I'm writing here because of this: Sony will not do anything that can help with issue in future. There won't be any software or hardware fix. Why? Because USB WiFi dongle is final fix for this issue! I tought that they are kidding me but not, it's statement from Sony. So I hope for refundance all of my money and I will buy something different - but I want same Duo 13 (in all other ways it's superb device for me) so here is the question: are they all with this issue or only some product lines?

I know that... you can't even know it, nor surmise.

Sorry for my English.

 

I have the same issue but I fixed it by installing access points near where I use th elaptop. Other than the WIFI issue it is really the bets laptop I had ever used.

My biggest issue with the laptop presently is the pathetic 1080P resolution.

 

At home I don't have a problem with it because I have installed access points near to Vaio too, but problem is when I am at work or school or I am travelling. I can't even search WiFi networks without USB dongle. Even my Lumia and Galaxy S2 can find every network without a problem, but not Duo. It's really frustrating...

 

You could always get a WIFI repeater or just use a dongle in such cases. I know both are a pain but I have yet to find a better laptop convertible.

Says a lot about the lack of quality Windows convertible for serious work. Everyone is trying to build and sell a mediocre $600-$800 tablet when there is no money there.

 

I have issues with BLUETOOTH and WIFI:

on speedtest i get about 6mbps lower than my laptop

my microsoft bluetooth mouse has reception issues in that there is lag and its not fluid. i tested it on my laptop and its all fluid with no issues.


is there a fix that i might be missing?

 

The HD 4400 in Sony is probably 50%+ faster than the HD 4200 in the Flip. Not only the HD 4400 has more TDP headroom, the Vaio Duo 13 can actually go up to 25W with cTDPup depending on the mode you are in(plugged in for example).

 

So I just got this thing and noticed that the device will randomly wake up with the smallest movement sometimes. I'm not sure how to exactly replicate this, but it happens often enough that it is noticeable. Is this a setting or something? How can I make it only respond to the power button to wake up? My guess is that it may be the keyboard getting hit under the screen or something like that.

 

For the tip clicking I pulled the tip out and wrapped a small piece of the white plumbers tape, you use on pipes to stop leaks, around the inside of the tip. Once inserted back unto the pen the tip does not rattle as much. I used too much tape the first time and lost some pressure sensitivity, took a little off, wrapped it around the tip and its perfect now.

 

Hi there,
I've using my Duo 13 (i7-4650, factory installed win 8.1 Pro), and have an issue with battery indication - power option.
Battery indicator shows only percentage left, not remaining time.
Tried to find answers from everywhere but still can't find it.
Anybody can help me?

 

Install BatteryBar. You may like that better.

 

I've seen a lot of japanese sites showing a new version of the Duo 13 with launching date Feb. 22, 2014 (probably in Japan). If you look at the series number, it starts always with SVD 1323..., where the 4th digit number is "3". This probably means it's the 3rd version. The first version (launched July 10, 2013) was 1321.., the second (launched Oct. 27, 2013) was 1322..., now 1323.
Let's hope the wifi issue was fixed.

 

Does anyone know how to fix the problem of having games played in a smaller window?

Ever since i updated to windows 8.1 ... all games no longer scale to full screen. Instead they go to window mode, or take up only a part of the screen.

Before updates, games would play fine ... they would scale to full screen. Now I have to set screen size to largest, which is not the same as scaling, cause scaling does not make game lag.

 

Have you tried running in compatibility mode? (Right-click on the exe or icon and pick the compatibility tab and choose XP or Win7 or something between.)

 

Is it worth buying a Duo 13 or any Vaios for that matter now that Sony has given up on the brand and new models are only going to be available within Japan?

 

Only you can answer that question. Support will continue and within the economic life of the machine (i.e. 3 years) I really don't expect any nasty surprises.

I've recently bought half a dozen for my minions.

 

anyone been able to get WiDi to work after upgrading to windows 8.1 on their Duo 13?

 

Unfortunately that doesn't exist.

 

1323 looks the same but with i7 4650 that was only available in usa and now it is sold in europe and japan

 

From the Sony Community site, apparently some EU countries now have the new ac cards as standard. I wonder when it will be available in other countries.

From what I have read, the new ac cards have improved wifi performance, at least on the Pro 13.

 

Link to that to see what countries and models?

 

I picked up an ex-demo Vaio Duo 13 last week, so far very happy with the machine.

But I have few issues/questions I'm hopping it can be answered by the community.

Can someone please let me know if we can use the charger from Vaio pro 13 to charge the Duo 13?

Also after updating to windows 8.1 and all the software and drivers from Vaio support site, I'm keeping getting notification from Vaio update program to install "Graphics Profile Update", 16/10/2013. Even though I have already installed this update many times over!

The last issue is I can not figure out how to turn off the display without let the machine goes into sleep mode. There are no separate sleep settings for display and hard drive in Power settings. Also I have tied nircmd shortcut without success, as the command put both display and machine to sleep.

Many thanks

 

I keep getting the "Graphics Profile Update" also. If I install it, then I get an update for intel graphics. I install that, then get the "Graphics Profile Update" again. It's an endless loop. (I think this update requires uninstalling the intel graphics or vice versa, but either way it's endless.

 

Hi, I have had the same problem after the last batch of updates (not to mention having to reinstall the touch pad driver)g. It seems SONY fixed the screen lock direction issue (ie open up laptop and screen is locked in vertical orientation) but now there is a back light in the screen that dos not shut off during sleep mode that it used to do. I am sure this is going to kill the battery and I can't figure out how to shut it off either???

 

............... can you find any screen options/settings?

 

One more thing.... seems I can't change the brightness either so they are probably related....

 

This is an old post I know, but I thought it might be useful for other Duo 13 owners to know that we've had success with one of our customers upgrading their Duo 13's existing 128GB M.2 SSD to the Crucial M500 480GB M.2 SATA (2280) SSD drive. They had to do a power reset on the drive first, but other than that it works perfectly and they are very happy with the additional storage and performance.

 

^Is there an install guide anywhere?

 

I haven't seen a specific install guide for this model yet, but it might be similar to pulling apart the Sony Vaio Pro. This video shows the innards of the Sony Vaio Pro 13. Although it's a PCIe M.2 SSD in the Pro 13, it's the same 2280 form factor as the SATA M.2 SSD used in the Vaio Duo 13.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNRdNizgBeo

 

In my Duo 13 running Windows 8.1, when I turn in on after it went into hibernation due to running out of battery, the Synaptics driver stops working and generic Microsoft HID driver takes over (erratic behaviour). I have to restart to get it working again. I am using Synaptics 17.0.8.5 driver. The VT is turned on in BIOS because I use VirtualBox extensively. Also, when I do "shutdown /h" in cmd and hibernate manually, the touchpad works after I turn it on. This problem only arises when it runs out of battery. Does anyone have this symptom too?

 

update synaptics for 17.0.9

 

I tried 17.0.9 from Synaptics, it's not compatible with Duo 13 yet ( Drivers – Synaptics). Where can find the Sony driver?

 

http://dlv.update.sony.net/pub/vaio/download/EP0000313006/EP0000313006.exe

 

When is the Duo 13 with the AC wireless card available? The Pro 13 has the promised refresh, but not the Duos?

 

VAIO brand is about to shut down this year unless an investor is willing to buy the brand and it seems it will a Japan-only product in future.

 

This is a Pro touchpad driver. I'll wait for Sony to release the Duo driver soon. Thanks.

 

I realise that but they did say both the Duo and the Pro would get ac wireless cards in January. It has come to fruition for the Pro in recent weeks but not the Duo.

 

Not sure why you need a AC card. The dual-band Broadcom in Duo is more than good enough. The range might be less when the lid is closed but with the latest driver, I have no issues.

 

Hey guys, what's the difference between the newer Vaio Duo 13 at USA Sony Online Store with the model number 233 instead of the 223? I know that the new Vaio Pro 11/13 added AC-7260 but on the old and new vaio duo 13, both still have the Broadcom AC.

So what is the difference or the new added stuff on the Vaio Duo 13 233 model?

 

Hi guys I just found an amazing feature in Synaptics touchpad driver called "ChiralScrolling". It will allow you to do unlimited up and down scrolling without lifting your finger off the touchpad. I thought you might find it useful in Duo 13 small touchpad.

 

It looks to me the only difference is RAM (4 GB and 8 GB), You should get the 8 GB version since I nearly use 3.5 GB RAM on a regular basis (VMs pushes the RAM into 6-7 GB). The Pro and Duo have different wireless cards. The Pro is Intel based while the Duo is Broadcom based and has connected standby feature. At this point I don't see the benefit of an AC card since there are nearly no public infrastructure supporting it.

 

4Gb is fine if it's going to be a notetaker, wordprocessor, etc.


On a different note, anyone know if anyone's come out with a bottom wrap for the Duo 13 yet?

 

duo 13 is not longer sold in sony online stores.

Looks like the end of life of this machine, I wonder if this is the real end or we will see a duo 13 refresh this weeks.

 

It's looking doubtful. The US online store is still selling units, but only pre-configured models. The i7 4650u model is only available loaded for $2,700 with 512GB SSD, LTE, ... I'm starting to feel pressure that if I don't buy soon, I may not get one. I wish they would clarify whether they are going to follow through with the refresh that they announced in January at CES for the Duo. They had said early April then, but the sale may have cancelled the plan. Anyone with some inside info would be helpful to share. I don't want to wait too long.

 

I just had someone in my office speak to a US Sony sales rep about the Duo. He told her that there would be one more Vaio refresh, but not so much for the Duo (not sure if that means the AC wifi). He wouldn't say when. He said the i7 would not become available for the Flip 11 (something I was holding out for). He is scheduled to follow up with taking an order on April 7. So I guess I'm safe until then to get a model, maybe refreshed. He made a good offer, but added the 4 year accident/warranty for $500. That seems high. He did say that it includes one battery replacement. Do any of you think it's worth it?

 

Hi all,

After three years away from Vaios (last was an FZ21) I might be back - albeit with a base model i5-4200u and 4gb. My only thing I would have chosen (if I had had a choice) would have been 8gb vs 4 but I am sure 4 will be fine so long as I dont do any of my VM work on it! lol

Still I have spent a little time reading through this massive thread but wanted to ask:

Other than getting the ntrig wintab drivers (so I can use photoshop etc) and updating the wifi drivers, is there anything else I should do when I receive the vaio?

How do I go about wiping the SSD of all the sony bloatware and getting the 'recovery partition' off the valuable SSD space? Do I need a list of drivers before installing from windows 8 discs using a USB DVD drive? Or is it more complex?

Do all UK models get the GPS? I know this one can do 3g (not sure about 4g).

Any suggestions on the best sleeve for it? I have read a number of things on here but they either seem inconclusive or not great - basically I want a sleeve to protect it that I can shove within my 15" swissbag to add extra protection.

Can I use MBP screen protectors or do I have to go specific? (A link to the cheapest anti-glare ones that dont wreak the quality of the display would be great)

I know thats a lot of questions but thanks in advance

Rendeverance

 

Could be the 1323 model that was available few weeks in europe before sony pulled out of the store, but didn't add ac wifi.

As for a refresh I think like you, the duo 13 will not have one an unfortunately there is nothing like the duo on the market right now.

 

I bought up a bunch of the VAIO VGP-FLS12 screen protectors lest they be discontinued. Personally these are the best screen protectors I've ever used - they actually make the display better for writing on and also in terms of controlling glare to better than what they put behind the glass of the Barbiebook Pros, without wrecking the display.

The only thing you have to be really careful of is not to get any dust behind it. Luckily I have a clean room at my disposal (which is where I ended up re-doing all of the ones I initially bought, and the last CTO's I bought all had them factory applied once I realised what a pain it was), but when I tried applying one before that in the office... oy veh. The only thing I can suggest for people without a clean room is a) make sure the room you're doing it is is very clean and there's no dust flying around in general b) clean the screen with a lint free cloth like a mother[redacted], and c) do it fast - don't worry about the bubbles which you can tease out later, worry about dust.

 

Any recommendation for a case?