WHO does think DUO 11 is a good model?

I don't understand what makes this Duo 11 uses battery more than S series even Duo 11 is smaller with lower power consumption components and larger battery capacity.

 

I'll bet the 1080p IPS screen with a brightness of 402 lux draws significantly more power than the Vaio S's screen.

 

Excellent review from CNET UK...it "gets" the form factor and doesn't dock it simply for being outside of the norm, unlike other reviews so far. I found it very fair both in its praise and its criticisms.

Sony Vaio Duo 11 Review | Laptops | CNET UK

 

I'm not talking about "many people". I'm talking about the people who require the performance of a Z, and as I've said, that's not "many people".

On the other hand, the people who do require that performance probably already know what I'm talking about. And the people who don't require it can't tell the difference because they haven't used the full potential of a Z. It's like race cars. If you only use a car to commute to work, a Ferarri won't take you there faster. But if you work on a race track, a Ferarri makes the world of a difference.

To me, that's "unable to do it without losing interest because it's so bl---y slow".

 

People who actually require that kind of performance would buy a desktop. Honestly, for an ultraportable, it's just in the middle. The only thing you really get that's better than other ultraportables is a better processor and a dedicated external mediocre video card that requires another power outlet, eliminating its usefulness. Everything else is pretty much the same.

If I wanted raw performance, I would have custom ordered/built a PC from CyberPower PC with all the bells and whistles and still have money left over rather than spending on a Z.

I wouldn't even classify the Z as a Ferrari, since honestly, the only thing that's going for it is the desktop Core i7. Seriously though, since you've already admitted that few people require the ultraportability and high specs (which is just the Core i7 processor,) what's the point of Sony catering to a select few? Sony's already in trouble, and just laid of 2000 workers in Japan yesterday.

I'm sure Sony realized that most people do not care about specs who are looking for an ultrabook- (which is what made Apple into the richest company in the world.) They would rather make money off on the majority than make less off a minority. I can see where Mitlov is coming from.

 

I was comparing the Z to the Duo, trying to emphasize the difference since some people fail to see it. And no, I'm not talking about just the CPU, I doubt the SSD of the Duo is half as fast as the Z's.

For me, a desktop is out of the question. I need to be able to work both at work and at home, and sometimes at other places as well. And there are lots of IT professionals like me out there.

I didn't say it's the fastest computer all categories, or that Sony should keep making it. But if Sony retires the Z line, there's a free market sector and it will be filled by someone else who think they have a business case.

 

What's your evidence of that?

 

I'd be curious on you guys take on the hinge design when you recieve the Duo. The pointing stick only thing is a deal breaker for me but still...

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

 

None, hence the "doubt". But I fail to see why a performance optimized, custom quad SSD solution would *not* run circles around most single SSDs, especially an SSD in an ultrabook not sold as a performance machine.

But there's not much point guessing, we'll see in a week or two.

 

I'll let you know about the hinge. I like the idea of a slider much more then a detachable b/c I know I'll just end up not having the keyboard when I need it.

As to the pointing stick, I'm leery of it, but I figure the screen on the duo is low enough and the keyboard is small enough that I can just keep my arm on the desk near the screen for casual scrolling and flicks and avoid all fatigue. I figure I'll also use a wireless mouse when I'm sitting at my home desk with it. Finally, it just doesn't seem that Win8 is designed with a track-pad or mouse in mind, the pointing stick is really just for those legacy apps that need a small cursor, and I don't feel like using the pen.

 

Just placed an order for the i7 version with extended battery. I took a look at a few W8 pc that are coming out and this one has the power and also a pen that others dont have. This will replace my asus eeepc 121 tablet.

 

Awesome!

Between NBR and TabletPCReview, it sounds like the TechnologyGuide websites are going to have at least a half-dozen Duo 11 owners by the end of the month.

 

how did you get free 2 day shipping with yours. I only got 10% off.

 

I dunno, it just gave it to me. I didn't use any special codes. Maybe you had to order more than a week in advance or something.

 

Oh ok I ordered using the student thing so it had the 10% off.

 

Hmm, now that I went back to take a look at the Vaio Duo 11, I feel like I'm overpaying, especially for the 3-year ADH warranty.

I customized the configurable one to Core i5, 6gb Ram, and 256gb SSD drive with the $199 3 year ADH warranty. However, with the ready to ship models with the Core i7, the 3-year ADH warranty costs $399! Isn't that ridiculous? I'm not sure whether I should just cancel the order and go for the Core i5/ 6GB ram/ 256gb SSD customized option?

With the customized option, I don't get the 10% student discount off, but I do with the Core i7 ready-to-ship option.

 

I was gonna do the i5 similar to what you did and saw you couldn't get the student discount, so i went with the i7 ready-to-ship getting the 10% off your getting $150 off. If you want the 256gb ssd the i7 is the way to go, if 128gb is enough than the i5 ready-to-ship is the one to get. Overall I think you get the most for your money with the ready-to-ship i5.

 

I have student account and the prices shown are 10% discount on both Customized and Ready to Ship models.

 

Yeah, they just updated that in the past couple hours. You can get 10% off on both customized and ready to ship models. However, the problem with the discrepancy between the 3 year ADH warranty is huge! We're talking about $399 for the higher end models and $199 for the basic model that is upgradeable!

That's a $200 difference!

 

It looks like the extended warranty price changes with the base price, 3-year+ADH is $399 for i7 RTS model and $329 for i5 RTS. The i3/i5 CTO is only $199, but the new i5/i7 CTO is also $399. It seems that if you can live with i3/i5 with 6GB max. RAM you should CTO to get the cheapest extended warranty.

 

I will also buy the i7 model - when it comes to the UK (no sign yet!?). The ability to quickly move between touch and keyboard and the great screen, are perfect for my work as a lecturer.

 

You know, its funny. I think it was silly for the last generation Vaio Z to only have its full capabilities available when it was connected to the PMD. But I DO think it would have been intelligent for Sony to offer PMD access on the Duo 11. Honestly, Sony should have offered the PMD to all of its ultrabooks EXCEPT for the Z, where the power should always be accessible to the user.

 

While I'm waiting for my Core i7 ready-to-ship model to arrive, does anyone want me to comment on anything in particular in my later review? I will probably get the extended battery later with it and let you guys know the battery life on these things.

 

It's now out in the UK: £850 for the base model (i3/128GB/2GB/Win8).
For the top of the range model (i7/256GB/8GB/Win8Pro), it's £1500!! (~$2400)

 

I am not sure if you can import from US for less (price + import tax)
With 10% discount for student, I can get the top one for $1350.

 

thanks mathnerd88 - I'd be very interested to know what the stylus performance when annotating documents/powerpoint slides is like. Also, whether the screen sufffers from reflection problems. It'll be well into November before I can get hold of one in the UK.

 

Any preorder shipped? Or will only ship on 10/26?

Can't wait to receive this great tablet!

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

 

I also ordered the screen protector for the Vaio Duo 11 from Sony, so I probably would most likely put that on before using it so the screen is nice and clean. I will let you know what it is like when the screen protector is on there. The screen protector apparently has an anti-glare finish that reduces reflections from lighting and sunlight, according to Sony's website. It is also specially formulated so the pen can glide better on the screen.

http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/st...catalogId=10551&productId=8198552921666499728

 

Had a Microsoft VIP event today for Windows 8, Office 365 and Windows 2012 server. Several companies displayed their upcoming tablet and laptop models. Sony also was present with 2 laptops. A Sony Vaio Duo 11 and a 13 inch T with touchscreen were on display. I really liked the duo. Tested the sliding mechanism. Screen is nice. Going to order 1 on the dutch site when the screenprotector and slip case are available. Going for the i7/8GB/256GB SSD/Win Pro config.

Duo is going to replace my TT.

 

I was hoping that they'd ship early so we'd actually receive it on the 26th, but it looks like it will merely ship on the 26th.

 

Order status changed to ready for shipment! Hopefully they start shipping today.

 

When did you pre-order and which model did you opt for? I had originally pre-ordered on the 18th, but canceled that and re-ordered on the 22nd in order to take advantage of the education discount. Now all my accessories say "Ready for shipment", but my Duo (i7 model) still says processing. I'm hoping they didn't sell out leaving me waiting for who knows how long.

 

I ordered mine around 10 AM on Oct. 19. I ordered with the education discount with the ready-to-ship model of the Core i7, Vaio Duo 11 Case, Screen Protector, and 3-year warranty with ADH for $1900. I am planning to get extended sheet battery later.

Status says Ready for Shipment for all my items except the 3-year ADH warranty, which still says "Processing."

 

My status is "Your VAIO IS BEING BUILT," with an estimated ship date of tomorrow. Order placed October 15th for a configure-to-order model.

 

No change in the status of my i7 still....Hopefully it does ship tomorrow, otherwise who knows how long it'll take for the next batch... 3 weeks most likely as that's the expected ship date for the current Configure To Order models.

Ohh, and some annoying info. For those of us that ordered "Ready to Order" models all of which lack Win8 Pro, installing/upgrading to Pro after the fact will cause us to lose access to the Sony portion of the app store. Granted its may only have apps that I don't need/want in their, but I'd like to be able to make the decision myself, because every once in a while OEMs provide something useful. For example I could see Sony having something useful for taking advantage of NFC, PS3 interoperability, or their own ebook/movie/music store.

Source: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/feature-packs

 

Are you sure about that? I ordered the Windows 8 Pro Pack from Amazon for $69.99 with the $30 promotional credit to be given later. I don't want to lose Sony apps, but I'm pretty sure if you just upgrade, you won't lose your Sony apps as long as you don't do a clean install.

 

Straight from the fine print:

* Offer valid from October 26, 2012, until January 31, 2013, and is limited to five licenses per customer per promotion. To install Windows 8 Pro Pack, you must be running Windows 8. Internet access fees may apply. Prices shown are estimated retail prices; actual price may vary by retailer. If you purchase a new PC with 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.

 

It just says you can't install apps that are provided from the PC manufacturer through Windows Store. We can sideload apps without using Windows Store correct?

What I mean is, can we still get the apps directly from Sony, and not from Microsoft Windows Store?

 

Since only Pro allows sideloading of the new Win8 market apps, that should be an option. This is assuming Sony makes the apps available for us to download directly from their website.

Edit: Just re-read your question from a post ago. While we'll lose access to the Sony portion of the Marketplace, I'm pretty confident that the Sony apps already installed won't disappear unless as you stated we reformat the computer and then install Pro.

 

My status for the duo 11 is still "PROCESSING", but the extended battery and screen protector were shipped today with Fedex tracking number.

Hopefully, the duo 11 can be shipped tomorrow as scheduled.

 

Odd I order the i7 one with the extended battery. The battery shows estimate ship date of 10/26/2012 and the duo estimate ship date of 10/19/2012.

 

FedEx shipping initiated! Hasn't been picked up yet so I can't see where the point of origin is though.

 

I'm impressed it's shipping so quickly but i'm used to ordering Dell's somewhat custom configs.

 

My CTO Duo 11 is now in transit from Shiojiri-Shi, Japan. That's right folks, the Duo 11 is Japanese-made, for those who care about those things.

 

wrong post, nevermind

 

Core i7 ready to order model now reads: Estimated ship date: 11/14/2012 on the Sony store page

I really hope I'm not in that part of the group, as the original estimate was the 26th for my i7, but it still says processing. For better or for worse, Sony was happy to ship all of my accessories to me though.

EDIT: Wanted to add there's some detail about the other Win8 Slider, the MSI S20. It looks pretty good barring the overly cheap plastic rear. And surprisingly, it definitely has some advantages in form factor to the Duo 11. I wonder if it has a stylus, and what its max specs are. If Sony's going to force me to wait, I might as well look around!

Hands-on with MSI's S20 Slidebook, a $1,099 Windows 8 convertible Ultrabook (update: video) -- Engadget

 

All my items shipped today from Illinois. Should be here in a couple of days!

As for people who are curious, I ordered the Core i7 ready-to-ship model on Oct. 19th. I have a feeling if your order still says processing, it won't ship until later. My order status was "ready for shipment" yesterday for all my items except the extended warranty.

 

I also ordered on the 19th. My battery shows that it was shipped on the 25th but the duo is still showing processing.

 

Unfortunately, the estimated ship date for the Core i7 ready to ship models is now November 14th, so Sony is currently out of stock of them. It's possible I was one of the last ones before their batch ran out.

It's also possible that your method of payment may require more verification. I used American Express, which is usually the easiest method to pay for high cost items without any hassle from the cc company.

 

That thing looks so cheap I wouldnt even consider it. Also, how long will the hing last? There is no support on the back at all, but if you touch it you will push it back all the time. I seriously think the Duo is a much better engineered concept. Looks much stronger and supports the screen when opened.