Sony X Series Official Owners Thread

Hi, just got my 115KX yesterday, and have been messing around to maximize battery life. Sorry if I am repeating already well-known information, but this is another observation.

I rid the machine of bloatware and cut out some processes at start up. I installed BattStat, which I have used on all my laptops. It shows power consumption and battery stats.
I am running Aero.
Interestingly the battery utility shows that the extended life battery is only 6700mAh, not 8200 as advertized (!)
The good news is that at idle the X uses a little less than 4.0W, so a fully charged extended battery will last about 18hrs. Surfing the web consumes about 6.0W for a life of about 12hrs.
I will continue to make readings and report if anyone's interested.

Phil

 

Is your Battery Care function (VAIO Control Center) set at 80%, by any chance?

 

I dont have a Vaio control center on my system, so I don't know if the battery care is set at 80%. Perhaps I messed up something?

 

OK I found it - and it's off so that's not the cause. However given the life of the battery I am sure it's just reading incorrectly.

I'm amazed at the low power consumption of this computer compared to my Lenovo X300, which was pretty good!

 

Have you seen this? Can anyone confirm?

http://communities.intel.com/message/85140;jsessionid=E5430B51BD2FCCF41292B94B7AEAE474.node5COMS

In short it states that VAIO X, which uses the Poulsbo (US15w), http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=35444 can not by design take advantage of Windows 7 TRIM capability, even if it is supported by the SSD.

If this is true, it would be very disappointing. I wonder whether a new installation using a vanilla Windows 7 DVD would be even possible because of this, without applying the proposed workaround.

Let me note that VPCX11Z1E/X which uses the Z550 (2GHz) and the 256GB SSD costs over 1500euro.

To make you feel better I have already ordered one.

 

Why does the Vaio Update 5.0 always lists one of the BIOSes to be updateable, and when I change it, the other one shows up to be available?

 

I have that issue, I updated to a newer BIOS version, but it prompts me to install an older version. I guess it's just a bug with the updater, I chose not to "roll back" to an older version for obvious reasons.

 

I live in the United States and considering purchasing the X series.

Is an update imminent (new processor, etc.) or am I safe to go ahead and buy the current model?

 

Hello!

I am trying to connect my X to an external (Dell) monitor, to no avail. It works perfectly with my Vaio SZ. I am trying to connect with a DVI cable with converter (only because it was in my office).

Any advise?

Thanks!
Patrick

 

Its up, any ofyou guys tried it yet ? Am downloading it now.

 

thanks for the heads up.

Will try...hopefully some performance improvements!!

 

I've been running it for the last few days and I'm quite happy. It doesn't have the "white out" issue when resuming from sleep that was present in 2020, and I don't have the video playback green screen hangs from 2023. No problems at all with 2024, would recommend it.

 

My Windows Experience Index went from 4.5/2.5 down to 4.2/2.3. Not impressed with that.

 

hi everyone.
I'm trying to buy the x series but couldn't find one. sonystyle.com sold out and just wanted to find out where everyone purchased...

thanks

 

where did you download this from?I don't see it on vaio update

 

TADA...
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Sea...Product=Intel®+Graphics+Media+Accelerator+500

 

thanks..but I downloaded that file and gave me an error..

"the driver being installed is not validated for this computer. please obatin the appropriate driver from the computer's manufacturer"

 

yeah yeah...
just uninstall the old driver before you start installing the new one!

 

I've been running v24 for the last few days--no worries. Get it from the Intel site linked above.

 

thanks guys...got it installed.

 

I got the L battery from eBay to add to my S and X batteries--and it's by far the most useful. I get 6 hours out of it, and although it weighs a little more than the S, it doesn't add height like the X battery.

 

I just did a fresh install of Win 7 Home Premium. but couldn't make recovery disk. anyone know how much these recovery disks cost from sony.com??

and where can I get a copy of the street and trips 2009?? I just downloaded from microsoft's site but wouldn't take my product key that I got from my vaio X. any help would be appriciated.
thank you

 

Have not been able to find this anywhere.
VCan you send a link?

Is it Original Sony or after market?

Is it Copper color or black?

Thanks

 

I would get this baby if it got HDM output.

 

Hey guys, Can you let me know????

 

I will PM info tomorrow from work.
The battery is copper color and all the markings look OEM. It might not be the real thing, but the price is *very* competitive.
It behaves like a real battery...

 

The L battery's model number is: VGP-BPL19.

This page has an animated graphic that shows the 3 different battery types and what effect each one has on the overall weight: http://conics.net/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=392.

Here is an Ebay search for the L batteries: http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=VGP-BPL19&_sacat=See-All-Categories. There are many auctions for this battery type, but be careful that it's really a Sony battery and not a compatible one from another company.

 

What Im still not sure, if it is possible to use GPS on the european version of the X?

Anybody got it running properly?

Thanks

 

The prices on Mikey94025 post are in the ball park (I paid on the lower side of the range shown in that list.)
I don't quite understand his warning though:
"...be careful that it's really a Sony battery and not a compatible one from another company." If it's compatible, and works, what's to be concerned about? It's not a battery for your pacemaker...it's a battery for a computer, and a small, light, cheap one at that.
All I can say is that for me, the L battery is the ONE!

 

VGP-BPL19 looks a bit pricey but think I have to get one.

Reallly 6 hours?

Would love to hear more battery results from all.

Any one have a specific seller that they used?

TIA!

 

5,5hours no wireless
4,5 with wireless

 

What readings you get turning aero off and screen at lowest brightness ?

 

Love to hear more!

Thanks!!

 

ipad is way better than x while reading pdfs.
x performanced so laggy.

 

Nice try buddy but we will not pander to your fishing expedition!

 

Fanboys... :wub:
Do you have a real keyboard ??

 

Just noticed that the UK support site has an update for the "VAIO Location Search" so I would assume that GPS is officially supported for the european VAIO X. Unfortunately I have formatted and reinstalled Windows 7, so I can not confirm whether it really worked or not in original installation.

It would be very useful for me too if someone with the WWAN option installed could confirm whether GPS is also accessible via VAIO's Smart Network or not.

 

delete me now

 

im just saying the truth..no offense...
these days i was thinking abt selling my x to buy ipad...
cause most of the time,i just reading pdf files in uni,i do typing on my desktop at home.
but overheat, low ram problem. w8 till IPAD2 seems to be a better idea.

btw,IPAD do have a real bluetooth keyboard and a usb transferable port.

 

I mean that the weight is pretty the same - ipad 0,73kg Vaio X 0,76kg eventhough the X is a full computer. The X has a 2inch bigger screen.

If your Vaio is running hot you have something wrong with your setup.
Im also reading most of the time Pdfs and the X is totally silent, the fan doesnt even kick in.

 

oh,that overheat, low ram thing, i was just talking abt ipad.

x is amazing in design. im loving it.
just saying that there's other an option to read pdf via ipad seems faster.

 

I'm just waiting for some enterprising modder to take the screen off the X, and stick a capacitive touchscreen on there over the keyboard. A lovely tablet! maybe you could slide off the screen to get at the keyboard then...

By the way, you can use eeerotate (google it) to more easily read pdfs on the X. It automatically rotates the touchpad along with the screen, making the X a handy magazine reader. I didn't think I'd use it that often, but I find it's great for reading pdf magazines.

 

I just tried it, in Microsoft autoroute it doesnt find sattelites. It finds the GPS COM port. The location tab appears in Vaio control panel, enables some settings. So I didnt sort it out yet. Anybody?

Ah, sorry, I misread.
Are you reading pdfs in Adobe reader? Try foxit reader.

 

Yes, GPS works on the UK version. But you need to uninstall the 'Vaio Smart Network' and then install the USA version 'SmartWi'. The WWAN/GPS switching on process can be a little tempermental sometimes, but it definitely does work.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=429543&page=31

Use the GPS tool, VisualGPS (freeware) to check if the GPS is working correctly whilst getting the first fix. It will show how many satellites are visible and other useful info. http://www.visualgps.net/VisualGPS/default.htm

 

Ok, will try it tomorrow!

Edit: Couldnt wait to test it It worked like a charm, got the fix in less than 5 min!
Vanilla did you fix the problem with weird text in the SmartWi Connection Utility?
Did you get the shortcut to a WAN connection manager working?

Whats your favourite Navi software for the PC? I use Garmin a lot on handhelds...

Thanks!!!

 

I'm glad you've got the GPS working now! The weird text labels doesn't affect it working, so I'm not too bothered by it at the moment. What shortcut to a WAN connection manager are you talking about?

Autoroute is the software that I've been using. The GPS trail facility, that draws a blue line showing your journey is really handy for me, as it allows you to see clearly all the roads on the route you've travelled on.

 

The text wanVerizonAccess is clickable...I guess it normally starts the verizon connection manager...I would like to set my own shortcut there...
Otherwise, I have to look for the program in startmenu...

Does someone have a US version with Smart Wi installed? Would you be so kind to upload what you have in this folder: C:\Program\Files\Sony\SmartWi Connection Utility

Thanks

 

Hey,
Flash 10.1 RC (Release Candidate) is up now. I tried it and it seems fine...full screen video seems smoother than before. BUT Aero **MUST** be enabled; if not, full screen doesn't work at all (unlike with the previous beta). This is also mentioned in the readme, and they weren't kidding.

 

Well, if you're using the WebToGo OneClick Internet utility then you can pin it to the top of the Start menu, so you won't have to look for it in All Programs. Or perhaps put a shortcut in the Quick Launch area.

 

Hi all just got my X two days ago, its an amazing notebook i have to say (yes i say notebook instead of netbook because of its ability to actually handle scansoft omni page 16 and Corel Paint Shop). Its a bit leggy in opening application but quite smooth afterward, compared to my aging TX, its actually much more fun and better to use. the only drawback i think is that playing MKV with more than 200mb of size is a complete chore, its dropping frame to the point of unwatchable and the 128 GB seems small, i guess i need to get one with the 256GB SSE

but overall I'm very impressed with this notebook, i was actually skeptical with the atom processor at first but i guess you just never now until you use one