Sony X Series Official Owners Thread

I heard an "off the record" comment from a sales associate in a SonyStyle store that they might be bringing the champagne/gold color back to the X series. Since that color was supposed to be limited, I'm hoping this might mean a specs refresh is coming soon. Anyone heard anything?

 

Hey all,

I must firstly say you guys have a fantastic pool of knowledge between yourselves here, my first post here, but I am impressed with the community for the X

I am thinking of getting an X myself, I still have a slight doubt though

Primarily the X would suit the basic needs of any machine or person that is for emails and light surfing of the net, which is fine.

The only thing I do aside from that especially if I am on a training course and nothing to do in the evenings is watch Anime.

The stuff I have tends to be quite large MKV files with subtitles. I have read all the posts from page 1 all the way to here and if my understanding is correct. The current owners aka you guys and gals confirm that it runs local video files fine even up to the higher 1080p videos of course this resolution is a little silly given the resolution, but as long as I know it can downscale or run nicely on full screen with little to no interruption then I guess I am sold

How loud does the fan kick in if you we're to watch a huge video file full screen or is it a safe bet to use headphones/speakers?

 

If I'm watching a 720p MKV file then the fan will usually eventually kick in at a low hum (CPU seems to be at about 50-60% when playing 720p). But if the vent underneath the X is obstructed then it can get warmer and the fan gets a little whiney. The only thing though is the speaker; it's pretty weedy. If I'm watching anything longer than a TV show then I plug in headphones.

Might I also recommend; use MPC-HC for watching 720p or 1080p content with subtitles. It seems to be the only reliable way of getting subtitles in MKVs whilst still taking advantage of DXVA / graphics acceleration.

I honestly don't have any 1080p MKVs so I don't know if they play alright on the X. I would check this before commiting to the X, especially if most of your collection is 1080p.

 

Thanks for the prompt reply on that and I appreciate the feedback.

I haven't got a huge amount of 1080, I think it is only 2 different series the rest is 720 usually or smaller.

I am visiting the a sony centre here in UK on Monday, so will check out the playback there. Most likely the in-store demo one won't be as highly tuned as what is detailed in this forums!

I will have to either sweet talk the sales person or beat them on the head to let me install the various bits and pieces to test it

I tend to use MPC for most things, but occasionally vlc is used, but I tend to avoid that where I can.

Once again thank you jdbrooks from coming back to me on this.

 

I got myself an iGo Netbook Travel Charger, similar to the one alavida got but this model includes an airplane/car charging cable. It only cost £15 on eBay UK but there's no retail packaging box though. The seller has sold quite a few already in previous listings and still has more than 10 left for sale. I do need to point out that the correct tip for the Vaio X is not included. It isn't possible to order the 402 tip in the UK at the moment so I got a friend in the US to send one to me.

Here's what you get:
iGo Netbook travel charger
UK plug AC cord (figure of eight)
Air/auto charging cable
5 tips (206,207,211,212,401)
carrying case
instructions




The car charger plug detaches to reveal the airplane power plug



USB port on the side allows you to charge a phone, MP3 player, etc.



Size comparison with the original Sony Vaio X charger. Approx weight without AC cord:

original Sony - 146g.
iGo - 255g



iGo tip 402 needs to purchased separately for Sony Vaio X or Vaio P



iGo charger uses figure of eight AC power cord

 

Not sure if we can link this, but this might prove useful to a few people.

VAIO International Repair Service Program

Throw that into Google

I think I will purchase mine from Hong Kong, I am frequently there anyway, so it is easy enough, they don't have a customise option like we do in the UK, but the model they have has the bits I wanted in anyway

being the Z550 with 128Gb Hard disc

When I was using the shop display model at the Sony centre, I really must say it is a beautiful little machine and it is nice for travel indeed!

I have quite slim fingers so the was fine for me and I liked the feedback as I prefer laptop keys over regular keyboards anyway!!

jdbrooks I appreciate your help once again and when I get hold of mine I will let you know how the video runs, once I have tweaked as per the knowledge within this forum

I can see why you guys have one and it is a delight to actually see one and use one!!

 

The 2Ghz should probably make all the difference when it comes to playing back the 1080p stuff. Where I live there was no way of customizing or getting an X with the 2Ghz processor with the 128GB SSD; the premium 256GB 2Ghz model was a crazy price (don't need 256Gb). So I had to settle a bit with the 1.86Ghz processor. Still, I only collect 720p so that was just as well!

Don't forget to install the RC of Flash 10.1 so you can get GPU accelerated flash videos. It's crucial to watching internet video on the X.

Let us know how you get on, and enjoy.

 

Yea interestingly enough the price was quite good, for the better Z550, with the 128Gb SSD, including the WAN card as well, works out at $10,900 Hong Kong Dollars, which converting to GBP Sterling is about £890, bearing in mind this customised spec in England is around £1300/£1400. depending what little extras you choose!!

Sony really must think we are filthy rich in Europe! I was also skeptical on the 256, that price is just too monstrous for extra space.

I will let you know how it all runs once I have it and tweaked!

Ah so you recommend 10.1 and not the 10.3 flash? Although to be fair I don't really do much streaming vids

They even have a silver model of the X, but I prefer the black anyway

 

Hi,

I've got my vaio x (2GHz version) running quite smoothly after some
tweaking, yet some things are still bothering me...:

- Do you too experience a (sometimes very significant) delay of
the adjustment of volume / brightness when done with the Fn-key
combinations?

- For those how have CoreTemp Installed, at what temperatures
does your fan start to run, and what are your typical temperatures
when doing light office work/ browsing?

Thanks!

Matthias

 

- There is quite often a long delay with the brightness / volume OSD if the X has just resumed from sleep, as the CPU seems to max out for about 10 seconds. I usually just wait around until the CPU has dropped a bit, then I can change the volume / brightness. I always assumed this was a result of the 1.86Ghz CPU on my X but it looks like it happens with the 2Ghz CPU as well. As long as the CPU isn't maxed out, then I have no trouble with the FN keys.

- The temp right now, after about 20 minutes of browsing, is hovering around 40 degrees and the fan hasn't kicked in yet. It would be a lot lower (around 35) if it wasn't sitting on the duvet at the moment (I love Sundays). If I go to a site with heavy flash or video, that'll go up to about 45 or so and the fan will usually kick in. When I'm at work and the X is sitting at a desk, the fan practically never runs as I'm usually not going anywhere near flash-heavy websites, and I'm usually in Word or Excel. If the fan is an issue don't forget the Thermal Control Strategy options in Vaio Control Centre (you can get it to keep quiet at the expense of CPU power.

 

Hi, just been testing: the fan reliably and replicatably kicks in
eventhough the max temperature reached was 40°C (39 and 40
were reached for just a fraction of a second).
(I waited till it was off, then I gradually increased cpu load.)
Is this the same with yours? It would be great if some of you
tested this... (!!)

I have Vaio balanced mode activated, but whatever
you choose, this has *no* effect on when the fan kicks in. It
will always kick in at temperatures between 37 and 40. The
Vaio Controls just let you stop the fan from going very loud at
high temperatures.

I usually have the win 7 power scheme activated that adjusts
dynamically between 800 and 2000 MHz, but whatever you configure,
this also has no effect on at what temp the fan kicks in - it just makes
it SOMEWHAT more unlikely that you reach those temps, but
I reach them very fast, actually I almost always have temps
between 37 and 42 and the fan is hence running most of the time,
even though it's 38/39 most of the time.

(You can reset the measured highs/lows in the core temp *tools* menu.)

There are many ways you can make temps rise slowly, in order
to test when the fan goes on, e.g. put the pc on a pillow for
5 minutes, let run an mp3 etc. Be careful not to start applications
during measuring since this will max the cpu upon application
startup, which will lead to a brief temp.peak that will make your
measurements somewhat unreliable. (because coretemp will
store that max value as "high" and you dont know if this was
part of the cause of the fan kicking in.)

I would really be grateful if some of you could confirm that your
fan too is constantly running at temperatures 40 and less.

coretemp is at a l c p u . c o m / C o r e T e m p /
http://alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

matthias

 

I made a support request to Sony asking why it is necessary to have the fan
kick in at such low temperatures. I encourage you email sony as well about
this. I will inform you about their response.
cu
matthias

 

what is the best video player for the X?

 

Now this is what I call Sony Premium Support (mind the irony.).

They wrote (translation below):

Sie schildern das der Lüfter permanent auf maximum läuft.

Bei dieser Serie ist es möglich, das der Lüfter sporadisch auf maximum läuft. Sofern keine mechanischen oder ungewöhlichen Geräusche dabei existieren, kann dieses nicht als ein Defekt oder als einen Hardwarefehler angesehen werden.

___________

You wrote the fan is going permantly on max. [WRONG, I wrote the fan
is going most of the time on light computer/cpu work.]

With this series [i.e. the X series9] it is possible that the fan goes sporadically
to max [oh really? duh. and who does that fit with your first sentence, which in turns is wrong as well? OMG.]. Proviced there are no mechancial or strange noises, this can not be seen as a defect or hardware error. [I never wrote
anything about defects or hardware errors. I asked why it is necessary to
start cooling down at low temperatures already.]

____________

Bottom line, Sony support is low quality. Bottom line #2, will be phoning
Sony next week. Will be posting.

Matthias (the fan noise killer)

If only anyone here had the ability to hack the bios/fan termal control... Just
subtracting 5°C from the temperatures read would do the trick...

 

I really don't have any problem with fan noise on the X. The only slight criticism I would have is that the fan sometimes kicks in for a minute or so when you wake the notebook from sleep, even though the temp may be as low as 18 degrees. I think it's fair enough that the fan kicks in at 40 degrees or whatever considering how packed together all the components are in the X chasis. I suspect that what might be a harmless temperature on a larger laptop might be potentially damaging to the X.

Still, let us know if anyone at tech support clarifies the issue; is higher than 50 degrees damaging to the X? I don't think I've ever seen it go above 55 degrees but then again I'm not always watching that carefully.

 

Nobody idea??! I would see a 720p, but with WMP, MPC and VLC there is some Jerks.

 

Does anyone know which screen resolutions the HDMI with HD Graphics card can output? Has anyone tried to connect an external screen via HDMI? I do it with my TV, and it outputs 1360x768, but is that the max resolution?

 

Vaio X has no hdmi!

 

And the VGA only seems to output to 1024 x 768 as well so you won't be getting widescreen that way (for me anyway; using latest Intel drivers and connected to a Samsung LCD TV)

 

I connected my X with a Samsung 2443bw via vga and it outputs 1920x1200. Quality is not as good as my DVI connected desktop pc.

 

HI,
I own a vaio x and I absolutly love it.

I have a problem with two broken buttons on my keyboard. The problem is, that in my country there's no service for vaio laptops.
Does anybody know when can I buy a replacement keyboard on the web?
Thanks!

 

All of the X series models on SonyStyle.com are either out of stock or "backordered"! Please don't tell me this means they are already discontinued! I don't have mine yet!!! AAHHH! (Starting to panic)

 

Sorry to hear that. I actually ordered the black X (with 5% off) last Friday, and received it yesterday. Must be one of the remaining stocks.

 

Out of stock can mean a refresh is on the way; the next batch might have Dual Core 2Ghz CPU and HDMI Sorry I don't think that's realistic but nice to dream...

 

I need help!!!
I have recently bought a X series laptop from Japan (VPCX118KJ), and I cant connect the wireless internet when I am back to Australia. Is the Japan version of x series locked to Docomo? If so, is there a way to go around it?

I have tried the US support website and download the SmartWi connection utility and then VZAccess manager, but it didn't work.

 

The WWAN modem on Japanese models are locked, I'm afraid. According to conics.net, it isn't possible to unlock it at the moment.

 

Until they can get a dual core 2Ghz processor to run cool, it's never going to happen in the X form factor. The whole point of the device is the size and weight, and the performance is adequate.

 

any updates on x drivers lately??

 

I agree, but there will always be people looking first for a faster CPU, then 8GB of RAM, and then probably a Bluray drive. In a form factor half an inch thick with 20 hours battery life. Can't please everyone!

Latest video driver is still 2024 ( Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Server and Embedded Processor Technology - Intel) but you can at least use the RC2 of Flash 10.1 to get the best out of flash video when browsing.

It's a long way off, but I'm looking forward to Internet Explorer 9. It apparently will be able to offload much of the browsing workload to the GPU rather than the CPU. And since the X is mostly limited by its CPU rather than it's GPU, IE9 could really breath life into the original X line when compared to presumably faster future models.

 

Just saw the new batch of Sony X in the showroom. Surprisingly the cover is glossy. Still prefer the old matte version.

 

why didnt you make a photo??

 

Would like to know if anybody tried installing Ubuntu 10.04 on their machines? I'm thinking of installing but not too sure if I should try the netbook edition or the standard one. i prefer the standard edition but I don't know if the machine will be able to handle it.

I know there is link out there where one individual was able to install the netbook remix edition of 9.04?? For the most part, everything worked out of the box except for the WWAN card, and some sleep issues (must disable compiz to fix it) but as I have mentioned before, I prefer installing a full blown ubuntu desktop edition.

Let me know what you guys think. Thanks!

 

Well good news for those who still have not made their minds up about the X, but want to use it similar to myself.

I use it mostly for emails and light web surfing, but I do like to watch films and anime now and again. Parts of my collection is in 1080P.

I have removed all the bloatware as per the recommendations outlined by previous posters in this thread. I am running with the GMA 2024 along with the RC2 of Flash 10.1.

1080P works flawlessly, there is a few second delay to open the file and a few seconds again when you throw the file into full screen, but it runs as silky smooth as the 720 videos. I know the resolution on the X is not natively really built for 1080, but at least it will gives those who have files of this type a little peace of mind. This is using Media player classic, but I tested this with the default media player the X has and that works fine as well. Not tried anything like VLC or other media players.

Thanks again to Jdbrooks for the info provided to me and the rest of the guys in this thread for tweaking this little unit.

Incidentally the model I am using is a 2Ghz, with the 128Mb SSD.

I do love this little unit it is fantastic to travel with.

"www.ultimate-netbook.co.uk" do a great set of netbook bags for anyone who is looking for a small bag to throw the X into, they do deliver globally to most places if memory serves correctly.

 

Just received my VGP-CKX2 carrying case. Got a friend to help me get it when he was in Japan recently. Looks great. Was going through the 'Please read before use' and came across this part mentioning 'Do not place magnetic recording mediaor magnetic-based recording systems (hard drives, etc.) near the magnetic part. It may cause malfunction.'

So does that mean the Vaio X can be 'safely' used with it cos it uses a SSD rather than a HDD? And does it mean I shouldn't let my external HDDs near that magnetic latch?

 

Ahh, I just shelled out £104 on the official Sony leather portfolio. Probablly a bit of a waste of mullah. Its just I didnt wan't any chance of my X getting scratched.
But i gotta say the Sony cover does make me look very professional. haha

 

Unforunately I don't think Ubuntu, or any flavour of Linux for that matter, is particularly well suited for the X. I haven't tried myself, but I believe driver support for the GMA500 graphics card in Linux is quite poor as Intel has not provided up to date open source drivers. Graphics performance is potentially dodgy. It's worth reading this article though.

And I'm not sure if the FN keys (volume, brightness control etc) will work, or the webcam. The WWAN modem is not usable. I'm not sure about you but those are key features for me. Google is your best friend here; some German lad has documented his experience installing ubuntu on his X and it looks like he got a usable laptop out of it, but only after some serious work and compromise. On the other hand, Windows 7 works great and pain free!

 

Actually I have the Sony Vaio Leather Sleeve too, that netbook bag the 12" shoulder thing from that site fits the sleeve really comfortably into.

Although even though I pointed at that site for bags I actually went for one of these in the end.

Laptop messenger bags by booq

It was a bit more casual styled which suits me better and my leather sleeve fits snugly into it. I can at least throw the bag around a bit more with this as it is properly padded, there is a EU vendor for anyone not in the states.

I also have one of these on the way as well.
SFBags - WaterField Designs - Muzetto Bags - Laptop Bag - Man Bag - Personal Bag the 13 inch Muzetto is required if you have a sleeve, but your could get away with the 10inch bag otherwise without sleeve, but these bags do not have any cushioning, which is obviously a concern for any X owner without a sleeve!

I am a bit of a freak when it comes to my own gear, trying to slim down on as much as possible as I travel a lot and find it is easier to get slim or portable where I can

Hope those suggestions help anyone looking at bags with or without sleeves.

 

Dears,

tried searching but could not find a final answer, in the states at the moment and was looking long and hard at an X here...

Q1 is the 3G modem locked to Verizon ?
Q2 is it a Gobi 2000 and can if Q1=true, be unlocked ?


Cheers..

 

Hi all...

I'm sold to this x series vaio, seems to suits my need. I'm going to guy it right away, well almost, because my country does not offer the 3G version which is the x128, there's only x127 over here...

If anyone of you have a huawei USB modem, can you make a simple test to show if the gobi card is better than the USB modem, in both regards of reception quality and power consumption?

Oh and i wonder if the x128 gobi card is like the older x118, the gps is just hidden and can be seen with older driver. If the x128 is significantly better than the x127 + huawei USB modem combo, then i might just sacrifice the warranty for the better hardware. Well it's not really sacrificing, just that I need to travel from Malaysia down to Singapore for the warranty, at least no flight ticket needed.

Thanks in advance!


Edit:
Found the untold spec of the gobi 1000 and 2000:

Gobi 1000
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/13109_na/13109_na.HTML

Gobi 2000
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/13580_na/13580_na.HTML


I wonder if those are related to the real world power consumption?


EDIT 2: Some research turned out that the USB versus Gobi:

USB = max 2.5watt (5v and 500mA)
Gobi = average 3.3watt (3.3v and 1000mA) and peak 8+ watt (3.3v and 2500mA)

So I guess the USB 3G modem is a better choice for extra bit of battery juice if I don't mind a USB thingy sticking out, I can remove it when not in use.

 

There is a VAIO series hardware refresh on the cards on June 1st.

Would anyone care to speculate if the X will have components changed or rejigged? Or is this unlikely due to the integrated nature of the X hardware? Anybody heard anything?

 

According to dynamism and conics, japan dropped their wwan/gps and put in the wimax instead. Other manufacturer seems to implement wimax into their laptops too.

 

Where did you find this info? I can't find anything on the web about an X series refresh no matter how many times I bing it.
I would love to see an upgrade to at least the 2.13GHz Atom Z560 like the new P series refresh; and a 256GB SSD option in the States.

 

Yes it's been refreshed. Check out the Sony New Zealand site:

VPCX127LG : X Series : VAIO Notebooks & Computers : Sony New Zealand
VPCX125LG : X Series : VAIO Notebooks & Computers : Sony New Zealand

Very minor processor bump...

 

Not really all the same old same old, was released in asia pac 3 months ago (might be new to NZ though) on the Sony Asia page they quote a new x135

Product Comparison : VAIO Notebook : Sony Asia Pacific

Here the comparison...

x128 = 2GHz + 2GB + 128GB SATA + 3g
x127 = 2GHz + 2GB + 128GB SATA
x135 = 1.86Hz + 2GB + 64GB PATA + Intelligent Touchpad (Gesture supported)

So no Idea what the "Gesture supported" means

so at least here nothing really new from the refresh (x135)

 

If I'm not wrong, it means they will switch the Touchpad to a Synaptics one:
Learn - SYNAPTICS | Scrybe

Which I don't understand is why they keep saying "128GB SATA" when the chipset US15W doesn't support SATA

 

I finally got myself the x127. everything works very very well and was very impressed with the portability of it.

However, I discovered the display hinge appeared to be non symmetric - left hinge being higher and right hinge being lower.

Do I got a lemon, or it's the way it is on every unit? strange enough, when I close the lid both appeared to be more symmetric, but not totally, the right hinge still looks lower than the left hinge.

Any feedback?

 

Hey Sony disciples,
iam totaly stunned by the new X Series. Iam totaly impressed by this godlike design! What makes me a bit scared is the fact that its using a "ATOM" processor like 200$ netbooks. How does this ATOM perform when watching for example HD Trailers from gametrailers.com or having multiple Tabs open in IE8 with Pictures and Flash and so on while using Outlook at the same time?
So i have to choose between Ultra low performance + state of the art design Vaio X Series and ultra high end performance Vaio Z Series.
At the End iam really impressed by the design of the X, i need a portable device to surf the internet doing some mail and configuring switches and routers.
What do you think, can we expect a relaunch of the X Series with maybe a INTEL DUAL CORE ATOM Pine Trail?
Or the ultra low voltage Core2duo like SU9600?
My local dealers here said Vaio X is out of stock and there will be coming a new release in about 4-6 weeks which costs about 200$ more.
Its a dealer with a VAIO lounge, maybe he just told me anything but it would be pretty cool.

 

I went to the IT department again, checked with various unit of the x series.

Found 2~3 of the x127 having the same problem, 1 x125 that's symmetrical on both side (both are lower), and 1 x127 with slightly better balance but still a little off on the left side.

Probably have something to do with the hardware I guess, maybe something around the left side is bigger than the x125 or something...

 

I had a X series for 6 months and sold it last week. It was fine for casual use and it was perfect for travelling with but I couldn't use it as my primary machine or use it for any length of time.

The Atom CPU can handle basic tasks like web browsing and I never had a problem with MS Office 2007, but the CPU is so poor that you can forget about doing anything fancy with it. Flash 10.1 will bring some benefits, but the CPU is totally gutless.

Based on what you intend to use the X series for, I would advise against purchasing it.

I can highly recommend the Z...

 

Is there a reason why the Vaio X isnt listed anymore @ Sony Style USA | Sony VAIO® Computers | Sony Consumer Electronics ?