sleep and charge usb

Is there an option to enable a charging USB hub on the Sony Vaio VPCZ1390X, say, for charging my phone on the road? I cannot believe a top-of-the-line business laptop is missing such a feature, but I cannot figure out how to enable it.

 

In the Z2's Vaio Control Center it is found under Power Management. Don't know whether the Z13 has a similar menu.

 

Hmm, not there, not a good sign.

 

I don't think the VPCZ supports that function. I don't remember seeing that when I had my VPCZ.

 

When not plugged in, it charges in sleep mode (flashing orange power light), but not when it's off or hibernated.

 

Do you mean "when plugged in it charges..?" You said "when not plugged in it charges..." and that doesn't make sense.

So, are you saying that all the USB ports on the Z1 (can't say "VPCZ, as they both are) are "charge while sleeping?"

 

Sorry if I wasn't clear. When my VPC-Z1 is in sleep mode (orange flashing power light), it charges devices connected to any of the USB ports. This works even when the computer itself is not plugged into the mains.

If I hibernate the computer (or shut it down completely), it does not charge any USB devices in that state.

I guess you could say it supports "sleep and charge usb", but not "hibernate and charge usb".

 

I would be surprised if any laptop could do what you are asking. The USB hubs draw power through the motherboard which must be powered by the laptop battery. If the computer is off then the motherboard is off and the connection between the USB ports and the battery are disconnected.

 

Thank god for modern technology as the Z2x does just that, once enabled in VAIO Control Center. Fully powered down but still USB charging. I think it's part of the Sandy Bridge platform so I dont think you can get this to work on the Z1x models.

 

Lots of laptops have had "sleep and charge" USB ports for years. Toshiba even has a trademarked name for it. More often than not there is only one USB port so enabled - or at least this was true pre-SB.

I just tested al 4 USB ports on my Z13 (4th is USB3 via ExpressCard) and none of them supply charging power when the computer is in sleep mode. I'm wondering if that changes if you change the power profile. Don't have time to look into now - anyone know?

 

^ I have hybrid sleep disabled on my PC. That could be why it works on mine and not on yours.

Yes, "sleep-and-charge" ( Toshiba Sleep-and-Charge) is not really the best name for a facility that charges when the PC is completely off, not just in sleep mode.

 

How do you disable it?

 

^ Control panel, Power options, change plan settings (for the power plan you're using), change advanced power settings, "+ Sleep", and then "+ Allow hybrid sleep".
Turn this off for both "on battery" and "plugged in".

 

I have removed the partition for hibernate and as such the hybrid sleep setting no longer appears in the sleep power settings and hibernate is no longer an option among shut down modes. I would think, therefore, that I should be getting the same result as you are by disabling hybrid sleep, but my USB ports will not charge in sleep mode.

Any other Z1 owners have this experience?