Vaio Duo 11 Owners Thread

I have the Sony screen protector on mine. I used it for a few weeks without it and quite frankly, it's not night and day. I like the matte-ness it gives it and it inks fine for the little I do during presentations.

 

Thanks for the input.
Did your Duo develop and scratches during the period without the screen protector?

TIA!

I am on my way now to pick up my Duo.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

 

Hi Guys,

I recently bought Vaio Duo 11 it was pre-installed with Windows 8 Pro. However, I decided to add on Windows Media Center pack and after I installed it I realized there was a fine print on Microsoft WMC page:

"If you purchase a new PC with an addition of Windows 8 preinstalled and you later upgrade that PC with Windows 8 Pro Pack, Windows 8 Media Center Pack, a volume license edition, or a retail edition, you will no longer be able to install apps that are provided exclusively from your PC manufacturer through the Windows Store."

Surprisingly the VAIO apps are still showing up in the windows app store and I am still able to uninstall and install them again without issues! BUT I haven't seen an updates to any of these apps since I installed WMC addon.

Can anyone please check which version you are running for Music, Album and Social Life. If updates are disabled after the WMC addon I might need to revert back to Windows 8 pro!

Music by Sony ver. 1.0.2.13080
Album by Sony ver. 1.0.2.13080
Social Life ver. 1.1.0.12070

Thanks

 

Hi all,

First of all thanks for the informative posts in this thread

I'm looking to buy a duo, however I'm having doubts about the following:

I can buy a refurbished duo i5 (3317u 1.7ghz)/ 256gb ssd/ 8 gb ram, from the sony website, for the same price as a new i5 (3337u 1.8 ghz)/ 128gb ssd/ 8 gb ram.

1. Is there any practical difference between the 3317 and the 3337u cpu? (except for the slightly higher clockspeed)

2. Is it wise to order something that's refurbished? It's alot of money for something that's not "new". How big are the chances that the machine in fact has some damage or faults?

PS. The refurbished model takes 2/3 days to arrive, the new one takes about 3/4 weeks, and the refurbished model has full 2 year warranty, but I don't want to send stuff back..

 

It is slightly inconvenient to have a fixed angle screen as I use the system in many different positions. Nonetheless, I love the fact that the screen and system do not rock or move when touching the screen. This is the only system that has such a solid set up, so I would not trade the fixed angle. Also, because of the fixed angle, the system has a very small foot print. I have done real work several times in a coach airline seat without being cramped. I've never used any other system that fit as well in such small space.

 

It looks like Sony is in the process of posting a new BIOS on its site. However, the link to the actual file seems to be broken. Has anyone had any luck getting the file?

Here is a link to the support page: Sony eSupport - SVD11225CXB - Drivers & Software

 

I finally picked up the Duo today in the morning. It was a lot smaller and lighter and sleeker than I expected. I really love the design after seeing it in real life and it feels very well built.
The screen is stunning (awesome viewing angles - helps the fact that the screen is at a fixed angle). It's also blindingly bright. I see no signs of flickering or buzzing at all brightness levels (I am very sensitive to LED flickers and I put my ear to the keyboard ad hear no buzzing). I didn't try the pen yet. The keyboard was very weird at first but after 30 minutes I got used to it and I am typing on it right now. The optical pad was also hard to use but I also got the hang of it.
One of the first things I checked was the RAM speed. On my Duo the RAM is DDR3 1600 and not 1333 as advertised on the Sony site. I have no idea why they are stating 1333.
The machine is dead silent and definitely quieter than my Z2 I didn't try the digitizer yet. I tried the NC earphones I got with the Z2. They are the same model number as the ones bundled with the Duo in HK. Sound is amazing with those earphones. I don't know if they are actually cancelling noise but I am getting the effect like I am with the Z2. IMHO, the US Duo also has that SMASTER amp which is advertised in other regions.
Performance wise so far seems on par with my Z2 doing trivial stuff. I guess I will feel the difference when I start running VM's and working with ARW files from my NEX-6.

So far, I am extremely satisfied that I bought the Duo. It has exceeded all my expectations. I feel like a small child with a brand new shiny toy

I look forward to using it till the Z successor is unveiled.

If anyone has question, please feel free to ask.

I would like to thank everyone here for helping me with my decision to purchase the Duo.

 

How does it feel carrying it around vs your Z?

 

I know the Duo is heavier but they feel about the same to me for some strange reason.

Installing VMWARE 9 and Lightroom 4.3 right now.

 

I am running vmware 9 and light room on my duo too. Both are running smoothly on this i7 little boy.

Sent from my LT30at using Tapatalk 2

 

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Damn I love this machine! :thumbsup:

Pity the card slot can only take one card at a time. I store my stuff on an SDXC card and a memory stick duo pro...

 

I am very curious of your experience.

I have the same Vaio Z laptop you have and I am on the verge of buying the Duo 11.

I use lightroom, premiere and photoshop primarily on my Z right now.

Please report on your lightroom expierience!

I don't know if you do any video editing, but I would like to hear how that compares to the Z as well.

The only reason I am looking at the Duo, is because of the pen input. I do a lot of drawing, and I like the idea of combining my wacom and computer into one thing. Like a Cintiq with a processor built in.

Thanks!

 

The screen is very resilient... moreso then my old HTC Flyer, but frequent usage of the stylus combined with a screen that isn't cleaned prior to every use inevitable did lead to two micro scratches. They are very shallow, maybe 1-2mm long, and only visible under the right light, however I promptly installed the screen protector that I had been holding on to these past 2 or 3 months since the Duo's release. For me the Sony protector matte's finish is too jarring... I use a few programs that don't scale up (Photoshop, Chrome, and KomodoEdit) via Windows native scaling, and I've definitely noticed a difference in clarity especially in these apps. I've also noticed at least initially, that I keep the brightness up a little more then I used to, to compensate. I've ordered an eBay screen protector labeled as clear, and will remove my Sony protector too see how the eBay one fairs once I receive it.

 

The problem ended as abruptly as it began. No wifi disconnects since I posted. I don't think I had been placing it near wifi devices (I noted that problem the first week with the Duo 11), but maybe I had slipped up.

 

I asked for an exchange, I am getting the new version with an i5 3337 instead of i5 3317 . However color is now black (and not gunmetal, which IMHO is better)!

 

Thanks for the info!
I have ordered the screen protector already and it should arrive by Thursday. The screen really does seem resilient. I am hesitant to use the digitizer though.

I also ordered the CK1 case. Anyone have anything to share about this case? I hope it's good.

I am on the fence on whether to order the extended battery...any thoughts on this?

I showed to many coworkers and all were surprised and impressed by the Duo.

 

I didn't know there was a black version.

Could you please post some pics when you get it? Thanks!

 

Sure, but I guess it won't have it before a few weeks..

 

My guess is that someone in your area set up a wifi network that was broadcasting on the same channel as yours, and has since then either left or changed the wifi channel.

The extended battery is truly a life saver, I would spring for it. Whenever I know I'll be using my laptop on the go for the full day, the battery comes with me. I don't think the charger has actually ever left the house. The only downside to the extended battery is that it makes the Duo quite bulky, and you may find yourself hesitant to leave it behind even on short trips thereby unnecessarily always carrying around a bulkier then necessary Duo.

As to the CK1, its a nice case, and it is made of some fairly resilient to spills almost plastic like material. However, it offers no drop protection, and isn't super slim/form fitting (this is actually a pro if you carry the extended battery). I've been contemplating buying a nicer leather case with drop protection (thanks to the bound reinforced seems on these models) such as
Personalized Hand Stitched 11 Macbook Air Case by HandLoop or
MONOGRAM Gorgeous NAPA leather Full case for Macbook by PicasoLab or
Leather MacBook Air Sleeve Handmade Brown and Olive by kiwabags

I have the CK

 

I agree regarding the battery. In addition, by using the external battery you likely save the internal battery as the system discharges the external battery first. This is good since replacing the external battery (once it no longer holds a charge) is much easier than replacing the internal battery. However, as noted the add on battery does increase the bulk and weight of the system to the point where it does not really feel like a tablet any longer.

 

When you say you're looking at Macbook Air cases, I assume it would have to be the 13in ones as the Vaio Duo 11 is a lot wider than the 11in Macbook Air as it's almost as wide as a 13in Macbook Air. I did try Macbook Air cases with mine but it didn't fit the 11in sizes and while it would fit in a 13in case, it was a lot smaller vertically so it could move around which I wasn't keen on. If someone has a Macbook Air case that fits well I'd be interested to know which one if it's available in the UK as it's looking unlikely that Sony will ever be shipping accessories for the machine over here so I'm still having to use a very ill fitting 13in case for mine.

John

 

Yes, I'm actually looking at 13inch mac book air cases. I've created a spreadsheet to compare dimensions for each of the machines. With Adjusted Length equaling the half the width + the lenght, to take into account diffrences in thickness between the machines. The new macbook air is closest in fit. Regardless, part of the reason I was looing at Etsy, is because the cases are hand built and often the makers have no issues with you specifying your own measurements.
depth length width girth adj length
vaio duo 319.9 199 17.85 675.5 207.925
air 11 300 192 17 634 200.5
air 13 325 227 17 684 235.5
air 13 v1 325 227 19 688 236.5

 

sorry posted twice

 

that sounds pretty bad, surely worth trying to get sony to replace it..

 

hi ryan
I was operating on similar lines. I've found the stylus input 'ok' and wondered if I had had to high expectations. I tried out a surface pro yesterday, and the pen definitely tracks more accurately I thought, so for use as explicitly a graphics tablet the surface pro I suspect is better. It sucks the pen isn't better on the Duo as I find the design far more practical in every other way than the surface pro. (though that is definitely a nice little computer!)

 

Ok 1st off I'm not trying to be smart but seriously, get rid of Mcafee. It shouldn't have been put on this system (or any other) by Sony. Its an atrocity and should be replaced with something much lighter weight. Windows 8 has inbuilt anti-virus/malware. Your killing your system running McAfee. In my 2nd job I troubleshoot certain tech issues & often I will refuse to even start if McAfee is present.

What may help is running this Process Lasso - Automate and optimize priorities, CPU affinities, power profiles, and much more! to find out if when you flip the Duo a particular process or processes go wild. When installed open the task manager GUI in portrait, click the columns to sort by CPU usage and flip the Duo open and watch and see if something jumps up in cpu.

As for wireless open command prompt in administrator (move cursor to the lower left corner of the screen, right click and select command prompt admin). In there type this, press enter and restarted directly afterwards.

netsh int ip reset

 

Hi guys anybody who have seen silver colour what do you think about it i know its personal preference but generally which one looks better ......

 

I haven't seen the silver, but I have the original dark grey and my guess is the grey is probably a lot more slimming then the in your face silver.

 

I finally got the official screen protector and official case and extended battery.
I like the screen protector. A lot less fingerprints on the screen and the pen seems to feel better on the screen protector. I also like the case. The Duo fits well in it and looks good.

The battery is certainly useful when I need long battery life but it does make the Duo way more bulkier and heavier. I guess I will save that for long trips away from the outlet.

Say, is it just me or the black shiny plastic above and below the screen seems to get scratched easily?

 

It's not just you, I also notice that black bezel around the screen getting scratch easily, but just usually smaller than hair.

Sent from my Sony Tablet S using Tapatalk 2

 

^
Thank you for your response.

Yes, it's tiny hairline scratches. I only noticed them today when I applied the screen protector and I looked at the screen with reflections from a bright light to make sure I cleaned all the dust off of it.

Those scratches aren't really noticeable unless you look at them at a certain angle against bright light.

Kinda sucks...they should used some other material instead of black shiny plastic.

I see you are waiting for a XPERIA Z...so am I. When is yours supposed to arrive?

 

Guys is it possible to put a picture of them if possible...

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

 

This is the same scratch from two different angles (its also by far the worst as it was caused by me putting the Duo into my messenger bag w/o a case). The others aren't visible with a camara... but they are akin to the swirl marks you see in a car's paint after it goes through an auto-car wash.

 

Alright I will now be taking extra care of my duo and thanks very much for sharing the pics.....

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

 

If the scratches really bother anyone, I am sure they can be buffed out with a very mild car polishing compound. I have used this stuff to fix scratched optical disks and it works very well.

 

Sony just posted an update to the Vaio Control Center. This is a great update as it locks the screen into right side up landscape mode when you slide open the keyboard. Once the keyboard is open, the screen won't rotate no matter how you move the system. As soon as you close the keyboard, screen rotation is unlocked again. Combined with the new BIOS that rotates the screen more quickly and senses movement more quickly, the system works really nicely.

 

In case anyone is interested, here is my solution to not having an oem place to put the stylus, and NOT losing the stylus

-short clip on lanyard on the stylus cap
-piece of bent black paperclip on the stylus
-piece of bent black paperclip on the Duo's vent

This way i can attach the cap to either the Duo or the stylus when I'm taking notes, and I can close the cap and attach it to the Duo when I'm done. I typically use this configuration around the house, or when I'm outside studying. I obviously prefer to either put the stylus in the sheet battery silo or the Sony case when I'm actually packing the Duo away that way the pen doesn't scratch the Duo's finish. But when the Duo is in use, this configuration helps me to always make sure the stylus and stylus cap are kept from getting lost.

I bought a bulk of the lanyards and have no issues sharing, so if anyone wants a similar config, I'll send 3 lanyards out for a $2 paypal ( s o n u s "at" j h u "dot" e d u)assuming you are in the US. Sorry I didn't bulk order paperclips, but I figure everyone has a paper clip lying around somewhere.

 

^
Yup...I updated my BIOS an hour ago to the new R1061C7.

Buffing with a mild polish really works?

 

I am a brand new Duo owner and I can see a few things that are missing in terms of accessories that would be very easy to fix but would add a huge benefit.

1. A Pen Holder. Something that can clip / stick onto the DUO but will allow you to attack the pen to it (Yes, the extra battery has one, but if you don't want to carry around the extra battery, then you can't.
I have a stylus pen (the iPad kind) at it comes with something like a miniature key ring attachment that allows you to plug it in via the cap to the headphone socket. I've detached this key ring and affixed it to my DUO stylus. It works but it is not ideal.
I have seen the some talk about Velcro. For a small fee, someone could possibly market cut pieces of Velco with instructions as to how to apply it. Would probably cost the same as buying the Velcro and cutting it yourself.

2. A Case. not a carry case, but a flip top case that will protect the screen and not have the backing that would add to the bulk . Like the iPad has. Was expecting Kensington to have made something like this already.

3. A Dock. Some people like to dock their laptops and through the dock have access to a full size keyboard, mouse and screen (and power). Even if Sony haven't made the connector on the underside something that will support such a dock, it is not a big deal to have a sleeve on the right hand side that can attach and plug into the USB/HDMI outs and propagate them out. Surely not a big ask.

 

1. Agreed.
2. Agreed, but this gets more complicated when you attach the external battery which is a very useful accessory for long airplane trips.
3. Just get a USB3 port replicator. These provide multiple USB ports and video ports and connect to the PC with a single plug. Note that video won't be too fast, but not much slower than the Intel embedded graphics.

 

Hello Vaio Duo 11 owners,

I've been moaning about the screen on my vaio duo flickering, it kind of strobes, and varies according to the brightness setting. (I also moan about the stylus accuracy). A few others have also complained of the same thing. Having taken my duo with me from the uk to the states on a trip, I stumbled on a sony centre. I took the duo in there, and they said it definitely has a problem. I compared it to one of theirs and theirs did not flicker, well it seemed to incredibly slightly but not anything like mine. They said they would replace it on the spot if it were an American model but as different units vary from region to region they could not. I also thought the screen on the American duo seemed quite different, less contrast I thought. I also have the burn in issue which I don't really care about so much but they had not seen that before either. Strangely I also found their stylus seemed to be slightly more sensitive/accurate and did less of a pigs ear on diagonal lines (though still not great). Had another play with a surface pro and they stylus really works significantly better.

So- The point of this message is, if your screen flickers and you thought this is just the way it is, a real-life sony tech dude tells me otherwise and that they should be repaired under warranty by sony. It also seems that the models vary around the world more than one would expect. I'll be hoping to get mine repaired in the uk though I suspect sony uk will be as unhelpful as possible. (say what you will about the yanks but customer service does seem to be at a higher standard)

-posted this on notebookforum and tabletforum

 

Worst Photoshop by Sony for White Duo.
Left side of the keyboard has been over trimmed.

Sent from my Sony Tablet S using Tapatalk 2

 

Lol yeah but I have ordered a silver one gonna get it in 2-3 days so will post some pics....

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

 

Useful to hear the comparison between the two which shows it's definitely worse on some machines than others. I'd say mine is like the other one you saw as the flickering is very slight on certain backgrounds but it's not that intrusive.

One of the features I chose the Vaio Duo for was its onboard VGA, LAN and HDMI ports which is something most other Ultrabooks lack and it's something I find very handy as I previously had a machine with a dongle for VGA and LAN and it was just annoying to have to make sure you had this separate part with you. While testing some ethernet ports in a server room yesterday and VGA ports the other day I was just thinking how handy it is having these ports onboard particularly with the machine being pretty thin and light, it's ideal to use for testing out ports.

John

 

for all who are interested in the Extended Sheet Battery: Sony Online Shop Europe has it in stock now.
Ive ordered it less than 48 hours ago and just got it. I'm glad i got it now. I've been checkin the sony online shop and several other Shops regulary ... but it was always out of stock or they estimated the shipping date up to 3 months ...lol

get them while they are avaiable

 

Is that the supposed new extended battery with the infrared port for controlling your TV and such?

 

Hi everybody !

First, sorry about mmy poor english... i'm a french guy...

Here, it is a speed Lan problem flow between my local network and my VAIO DUO 11 (I7 model / 8GB / 256 SSD) - with built In wifi Intel N6235...

When I send a file through wifi (N Mode / 300Mb/s) from my VAIO on a shared directory over my network (PC or NAS), my speed rate is between 5 and7 Mb/s, it's correct to the standard wifi N mode... Conversely, when I get a file on that same source, then, I download off to 1.2Mb/s Max in the best case...with large variations and sometimes down to 100Kb/s ...completely irregular (inverted to send) ...

send file from VAIO to another PC >: 5-7 Mb / s (Lan)

send file from another PC to VAIO > between 100Kb/s and 1.2 Mb/s ...

I'm on 802.11n mode on my VAIO and also my network (the wifi settings tells me a connection rate to 300mb).

I tested with another PC, and there is no concern ... It done the same good speed (send or recovers up to 9mb/s)...
I also test desactivate the n6235 wifi and plug in a network wifi card D-link... The information system tell me that this card is connected to a 150 mb Network. and the card's speed is up to 6 mb, Up or Down...!

Any idea? So, in fact, transfer a 1 Giga file on the Vaio, take almost an hour ....

Thank you!

PS I should mention that the drivers of the wireless card (Intel N6235) are currently in their latest versions ...

 

Ira, I tried the usb port replicator, ASUS, Universal port replicator, but it did not support 2 external monitors, like I see on this forum I can do using DVI and HDMI ports directly. Any suggestions on appropriate port replicator would be appreciated.

 

I believe the HP 3005 USB 3 port replicator will support 2 monitors simultaneously, although I have not tried it personally. Here is a link to the specs: HP 3005pr USB 3.0 Port Replicator (H1L08UT) specifications - HP Small & Medium Business products.