Vaio Duo 11 Owners Thread

People have different opinions on this but I really don't like the keyboard to the degree I'm now seriously considering selling the Vaio Duo 11. I prefer laptop style keyboards and actually use a small laptop style keyboard for my desktop/docks, the size on the Vaio Duo 11 is reasonable but I just don't like the key response, I've had the machine since it launched but I still find I can't type at speed as I have far too many missed keystrokes. I have to slow my typing right down which means less just of a missed key and makes it easier to correct one if I do miss a letter. I find I hold off typing up anything on the Vaio Duo 11 and wait until I'm on one of my other machines. It's frustrating as normally Sony produce very good keyboards, I found the little keyboard on the old TX1 (a 10.6in machine) easily usable at speed.

John

 

Thanks for the input. That is really a downfall for something that I believe is otherwise a terrific device.

 

I say test the keyboard. I moved from a Vaio Z to the Vaio Duo, any I hit the same touch typing speeds of 70-80 words per minute without a hitch.

 

I'd try one out re the keybord. I find I still have to retype often as keys don't register, only annoying for me but I don't write that much, probably not the best option for a writer. Apparently thinkpads are good for that and there are some of those not dissimilar to the duo these days so far as I can tell

 

I have also lost the auto-rotate function since installing the latest bios update.

Have to say I too am losing patience with the various problems this device has. I also managed to break off my z key as it stopped working so I took it off to clean and re-attach but it wont click back on. My idea of this device lasting 4 years are looking rather optimistic at this stage.

 

That's exactly the same as my keyboard so I don't think it''s a fault with my particular machines as it's not just certain keys and I've seen a few people here report the same thing. I'm typing this on a new Z series I've just bought to see how I get on with it in view of replacing the Vaio Duo 11 and although the keys are similar I find I can type at full speed without missing anything. I'm not a fan of Lenovos and I didn't think much of the older Thinkpad keyboards but I have to say they new gapped design is actually very good, the keys have a good feel to them and seem spaced about right although the touchpad is terrible. The X230 like the Vaio Z it doesn't have separate buttons but it's a really mushy action and doesn't seem to work consistently on a right click, I'd prefer they just stuck with the trackpoint as with the X200 as I find I use the trackpad briefly then go back to the pointer. The X230 is nowhere near as slender as the Duo 11 though, they're fairly different machines.

As for the machine not lasting four years it seems to be a sad fact of most machines these days that few parts are upgradeable or replaceable which I really don't like, I'd rather slightly more bulk and parts I can replace. My Mum has a now older Vostro 13, it's a bit chunky but all the parts are well laid out internally and it's very easy to work with and get parts so minor things like the DC port breaking (she tripped over it when standing up!) and the screen cable shearing haven't been an issue. Dell seem to have largely abandoned that approach although I haven't looked at many of their recent machines.

I should add that after considerable moaning my Vaio Duo 11 case arrived out of the blue, I was checking the order status for the Z series when I noticed the case had been delivered the middle of last month apparently. A quick phone call thankfully verified the wrong month so the case was on its way. It's good to finally have a proper case for the Vaio but I'm disappointed with it for the cost, it feels like it should have cost about a fiver and doesn't feel like it offers much protection particularly around the screen.

John

 

Download and install an update for vaio control center, it may fix your auto rotate issue.
New version also turn on/off auto rotate if you are in tablet/laptop mode.

Sent from my Sony Tablet S using Tapatalk 2

 

Auto rotate works fine on mine after the bios update.


Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2

 

hi, tried that but alas already have the latest version apparently.
Thanks though

 

My auto rotate function has reappeared, I tried downloading the latest Vaio control centre but already had it the installation process told me. However shortly after this I noticed it was working again. Not sure why but if you're having this problem you could try this process and maybe you'll get lucky too.

Not often I use it on portrait mode but it's nice for reading newspapers on the sofa.

 

Anyone have dead/stuck pixels?

 

No, not on my machine.

John

 

Send it back m8 they will sort it out under warranty....

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

 

Mine reappeared too.

No idea why; haven't tried fixing the issue since my last post.

Duo must have updated itself in the background or something and not notified me of the update.

 

I just noticed I have 4 stuck pixels

Sent from my LT30at using Tapatalk 2

 

^
They are probably only visible on a complete black background and from really up close....right?

 

CARRYING CASE

Just received the official carrying case from Sony. USD 40.00. Quite disappointed. It does not much protection from dropping but it DOES have a place on the side to store the stylus.

 

The case looks good too.

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2

 

DISPLAYLINK FOR EXTERNAL MONITORS VIA USB 3.0 DOES NOT WORK.

Still trying to hook up two external monitors via usb 3.0 docking station using DisplayLink. With both one or two monitors connected, system goes crazy and alternatively switches between recognizing one monitor, then two monitors, then three monitors, then one......etc.

DisplayLink says it know there are problems but blames them on the laptop manufacturer.

From DisplayLink:....

Please check with your host controller manufacturer, or laptop manufacturer, for updated USB 3.0 host controller drivers. Also, please make sure you are using the most recent DisplayLink host software.

DisplayLink are aware of the follow USB host controller manufacturers and available downloads. You should check with your laptop manufacturer for the USB 3.0 host controller provider in your computer.

Intel
Fresco Logic
TI
AS Media
Etron
Renesas/NEC
VIA

Some motherboards are known to be incompatible with the NEC USB 3.0 controller due to out-of-spec PCI Express spread spectrum clocking. A list of known incompatible motherboards is below, however there may be other motherboards that have the same issue.

Anyone know how to check this?

 

Hi guys,
It seems that after a number of updates (including the new BIOS) I have lost the ability to switch to the rear view camera in Skype - just do not see any options except "Camera Off" when pressing on the camera icon during the video session. Would appreciate if you would test that on your machines.
My Skype is v6.2.59.106 for Windows 8 Desktop (not Metro) installed under old classical Skype login.
My machine is Duo 11 v2: I7-3537U - 2GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Windows 8.
P.S. The Skype on my iPhone 5 works fine at switching between front and rear view cameras.

 

Depends on your hands. I can comfortably type at 85 wpm with it all day long, but I have smaller hands.

Sent from my Galaxy S III using Tapatalk 2.

 

I have small hands as well and have no problem with the size of the keys it's just that they don't respond consistently leading to missed letters, I bought a new Z series which has a similar design of keyboard but its key response is very consistent and I have no issues typing at full speed on it. I've tried hitting the keys harder and at differing angles but it doesn't seem to improve consistency.

John

 

Yes, i only notice them when the screen is blank and max brightness. Those are all green.

Sent from my LT30at using Tapatalk 2

 

^
Thanks for the reply.
Are you gong to talk to Sony about this?
Is this even under warranty?

 

I will talk to them about this but I am gonna out of town soon, so I will do it when I am back.
I am not sure if 4 pixels would be enough for warranty. However, the LCD has uneven backlight at bottom and right edges, so I would like to claim for both issues.

Sent from my LT30at using Tapatalk 2

 

I don't see how your iPhone is related... however it would be helpful as far as troubleshooting if you could tell us whether or not you can successfully switch to the rear camera in the actual Windows 8 Camera app

 

I've had the worst thing happen to my sony vaio duo 11. I broke her screen into a million bits.

However, touch still works?!

Can anyone point me to instructions on replacing the glass/screen please?

I'm very reluctant to send away for repair as my personal information is on it and I'd rather not format first. Passwords, accounts etc.

So any advice on sorting it myself, gratefully received. I've repaired simpler laptops before-keyboards and things so I'm not completely hopeless.

 

Well, you are the first person here to report breaking the screen. So you'll actually be pioneering the process. However, the good news is that the Duo has already been taken apart. You'll want to order the screen from Sony parts, and use these links as a partial dissection guide.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony-owners-lounge-forum/695049-vaio-duo-11-owners-thread-16.html#post8950053

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony-owners-lounge-forum/695049-vaio-duo-11-owners-thread-23.html#post8970067

EDIT: This is a better link then the above two, http://forum.tabletpcreview.com/sony/55314-duo-11-teardown-ssd-upgrade.html

What is an Ultrabook? See us build one (VAIO Duo) - YouTube



Could you give us some details as to how you broke it, what distance it dropped, what it fell onto, and potentially some damage pictures? I think most of us have been babying the Duo, and have no idea what its durability is like.

 

Hi everyone, speaking of warranty - would you guys recommend warranty on the Duo 11 with Sony? I recently came across one from the Sony Outlet, but it appears to be only covered under a Limited 90 day warranty. The one I received was in pristine condition (considering the Duo hasn't really been out for that long). It seems I can still purchase a 2 or 3-year extended warranty with Sony.

I'm not sure if SquareTrade is an option for refurbished laptops.

Maybe I am being paranoid, but how well is the sliding mechanism working after all this time? And the above postings have me slightly concerned regarding dead pixels (considering it is a touchscreen).

 

Anyone have the sheet battery? How do you like it? I'm seriously thinking of getting one, since I don't mind a little extra thickness and weight, and I'd really like a longer battery life and a place to store the stylus.

 

I like it because it give more battery life.
I am using 80% battery care function.
However, i don't use it to store stylus.
Sent from my LT30at using Tapatalk 2

 

Thanks for the links.

I dropped her from about 3 foot at the most. Slid out of an unsuitable case. Couldn't get the proper case thanks Sony. Bounced a little, hit face first. Completely crazed and shattered. Amazingly touch still works and is pressure sensitive and accurate?!

Ill take pics when I start disassembly for everyone.

 

I've been using the sheet battery for several months. I like it for the extended life. However, it really changes the character of the machine. It is much less like a tablet and much more like a touch screen notebook with the extra battery. The additional weight and added and uneven thickness make tablet use more cumbersome and less comfortable. Nonetheless, with the extra battery, this is still one of the smallest and lightest full featured notebooks around.

 

hi guys,

i just bought a duo 11 from sony outlet shop (on clearance not refurbished). It is in gun metal but comes with only 2GB, is this soldered and if there are any spare slots available? It pretty stupid to produce non-upgradable version with only 2GB of RAM in total (if non-upgradable).
Let me know guys if there is no option to upgrade I will send it back.

 

I've gotten so far with this. The back is off, screws and incidental parts left in a pattern that should allow me to match them back up. However, none of the links helps with getting the screen itself off.

This isn't terribly obvious at the moment, does anyone have any further information at all?

 

Hi m8
How much did you pay for it...?

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

 

Your laptop would be 2gb on board and you can upgrade it to max 6gb.
Unfortunately, this ram is extremely rare and hard to find.

Sent from my LT30at using Tapatalk 2

 

Once I got the Duo home and felt the weight, and the shimmy in the screen up and down, I returned to my local dealer and bought a two year accident plan and a 3 year warranty for USD 300. I will use it, I am sure.

Buy the warranty!

 

DISPLAY LINK FOR USB 3.0 STILL DOES NOT WORK.

Returned my Asus 3.0 docking station and bought a Pluggable 3.0 docking station (great support before the sale, BTW, but..) had exactly the same paranoid scitzo problem as before, Only logical conclusion is our Duo 11's are Not Compatible with DisplayLink. Don't waste your money unless you want an expensive USB extender. A shame, such promise.

 

IMHO very cheap, £730 but I had a 5% discount code so at the end I paid £690 (there should be some 2% cashback from topcashback as well)

 

well guys it was nice knowing you. I sold my Vaio Duo finally after all the dust collecting it was good at

I just could not adjust to the small chicklet keyboard otherwise I thought it be perfect for me

I cant wait until the successor to come out.
Until then, my Z will keep me in company

 

I still don't like the keyboard but strangely I'm actually happier with the Duo 11 after buying a Z series and shipping it straight back, its keyboard was much better for typing and its quad core processor was far more powerful but it didn't feel like a Z series with no discrete graphics and no optical drive so it didn't offer that much over the Duo 11. Its screen wasn't as good (I had the 1080p one) and I found I much preferred the Vaio Duo 11 for using on my lap, the Z series' quad core processor seemed too much for the chassis leaving my legs feeling like they were burning and I missed the sliding touchscreen of the Duo 11 which was convenient to use. I just wish the Duo 11 had a decent keyboard then I'd be more than happy with it, I don't like the feel of typing on it and I can't type at a decent speed because of the missed keystrokes.

John

 

Have you tried another Duo? The machine should be registering your keystrokes if you are actually hitting the keys.

 

Any luck yet? From the youtube video it seems that access to the slider mechanism is below the battery. So you may need to remove the battery if you have not yet.

 

No luck yet.

Until I saw your post I was about to give up completely. Thank you.

I can't believe no one has this info anywhere, but they don't. I'm more likely to quit totally that pay Sony more money for the repair.

Can't upload pic on iPad. Slider isn't below battery though.

I may just write this off. The LCD supplier site won't offer. Price without screen model number, which is not gettable without screen removal, which isn't doable without undoing sliders which are very complicated looking and seems as if the whole mb has to come out to do it.

 

Right, you don't remove slider but you need a good small screwdriver at the least and patience. You have to unscrew at angles. I may cut a small nib off a screw driver and mount it 90 degrees for reassembly!

 

The more I look the more I think I'm wrong to have it to pieces. The glass and the LCD are seperate. So I needed new glass or a new full screen unit.

I'm going to try contacting sony but if I can't have a complete unit, I will have to call it a day.

If that is the case, ill eBay the working remainder once I piece it back together and video it working. Let someone else play for a few hundred quid.

 

I've only just started using my Duo recently as it was at the Sony repair shop awaiting a new screen for a couple of months. What I notice is that if I firmly tap the lower/upper edge or the corner of a key, even though I can feel I've pushed it as far as it goes, it often does not register the keystroke. i.e. I really have to tap the centre of each key to be sure that it will register the keystroke.

This is not the case with my Vaio VPC-Z, it doesn't matter where I tap the key - corner, edge - it will always register the keystroke.

Combined with the Duo keyboard being a different size and the keys being smaller, I am more frequently missing the centre of a key, and thus frequently getting the problem that others have raised about missing keystrokes.

 

Its frustrating, but try to hang in there! My understanding is that once you remove the battery, you'll have access to screws needed for unscrewing the sliding hinge. Once the hinge is released, and the two ribbon cables are disconnected, you can remove the touchscreen from the body of the Duo.

After that, you would want to take apart the touch screen, by removing the plastic frame and separating the broken glass digitizer from the LCD below it. (You might want to reference a glass touch screen disassembly guide like this i ScreenTek Blog » How To: Repair Your iPad Digitizer or this from approximately 6:50 ) What you want from Sony is a new digitizer, and (probably) new adhesive. You can also get generic adhesive Amazon.com: ipad adhesivve

Finally, I would recommend you do call Sony for the parts, if you are persistent enough you can even try and score either a parts list from the parts salesperson or a disassembly guide from them. Try and get the parts tech to feel empathetic regarding your situation. And of course if that doesn't pan out, you could always try a PC repair shop... be careful though and make sure they understand that you have little tolerance for sub-par work and only want them to take the job if they can guarantee a tech that has the patience to put everything back perfectly.

 

I posted a long reply only to have internet exploder decide NOT to submit the text and the forum kick the zero length message out!!

I've reassembled. I'm going to send it for official repair unless the cost is more than 500. If it is, then I'm going to ebay the working laptop with shattered glass. I can show a video of it working, but broken screen so someone else might want an I7, 256gb, 8gb, unit and has far more skill.

I've been able to get the screen off but it's clear only a removal of all the glass and proper replacement of the glass will do. Something I have no confidence that I can do given the precise fit. I doubt a user is ever meant to try, you can't even get at the ribbon cable, it's glued in place.

Thank you for answering and trying to help however! I got to the screws in the end without taking the slider off, was not easy.