Just bought the Vaio Pro 13 (i7 version) ... loving every bit of it ... the high res screen is to die for .... stock have arrived on Wednesday and you can walk into any Sony Center to purchase one (Curve/KLCC) ...

If you ask me ... get the 13 inch ... you get the same resolution for the 11/13 inch Pro .... you practically have to upscale the font to use the notebook properly .... imagine if you have the 11 inch version ... eyes will pop out trying to read the small text

Let me tackle this question from all perspective:

1. Weight and size

My gawd is this thing thin and light. Even the 13 inch version is lighter than my previous MBA13. If you are looking for portability then this IS the Ultrabook that you want to get. There is no questions asked for sure ... btw, stay away from the 11 inch model. Full HD on an 11 inch will kill your eye sight. Even on the 13 inch you had to do font scaling to 125%/150% to use comfortably .... unless you intend to connect an external monitor ... but then you loose out on the fantastic screen on the Vaio Pro

2. Build quality

As you know it is made from carbon fibre and yes there is flex on the body. However, I won't say this thing would break easily... it's not exactly a tofu. The idea is to flex and prevent dents and cracks should you drop it (heaven forbids). Bump it on its side or carrying it around won't introduce dents like on an aluminium body. But this thing is a fingerprint magnet .... top, bottom, screen ... will soon see lots of fingerprints ...

3. Wifi problem

What WIFI problem? So far performance has been rock solid. I suggest you download the latest Intel drivers from Intel support website.

4. Fan issue

The fan does blow loud when performing windows update and graphic/disk intensive activities. However, it does not turn on as often as you think. In fact, there is a new BIOS patch that allow you to setup the fan to operate in silent mode ... so it won't blow so loud

5. Who is this for?

Road warriors who perform office processing (word, powerpoint, email), simple games, browsing the net, listening to songs or watching some HD movies ... this is for you ... I especially love the SSD via PCIe .... this damn thing loads up into Windows 8 desktop in 4 seconds flat from cold boot ....


However, I would suggest you go to the store and play around with it first before making a decision .. besides ... it's your money

Have you tried installing the driver from Intel website instead of Sony? It makes a huge difference.

Try it here:

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResu...4&FamilyId=1783

Whooppss ... won't work then .. sorry bro ... was trying to find out what Wifi adaptor does Duo 13 uses on Sony website but couldn't find the info .... won't work for you .... unless Broadcom has their own driver download site

There was never any case of disconnection. I have tried using the device about 20 meters away with 2 brick wall in the way .... Still no problems with the wifi. Not sure why some people are having problems with the wifi .... However, I suspect perhaps they type of router might be a crucial point. I have used it with dlink, aztech, 3com and Cisco without problems.

At home I sit about 10 meters away .... Also on different floors .... No issues


As you can see ... both of the top 2 are my wireless AP ... both showing great signal strength

This post has been edited by sookk: Sep 14 2013, 09:12 AM

I believe all the Sony Centers are already carrying the Vaio Pro 11/13 models ... alternatively you can order it online as well.

Sounds like a personal choice ... black is more classy and there isn't backlight leak from the keyboard if you use the keyboard in the dark. However, it does attract lots of fingerprint and oil on the keys, cover and touchpad. The silver model doesn't show those fingerprint as clearly (but it is still there). However, there is a huge backlight leak issue with the silver version where using the keyboard in the dark can blind you.

Also, since I got the i7 version ... I didn't even get a choice .. I could only get the black version. Sony Malaysia should have brought in the Black Carbon version ... at least that won't have the fingerprint issue (like the silver).

Any Vaio Pro 13 users upgraded to Windows 8.1? I seem to have a problem where the damn screen will go to sleep ... and then after that refuse to wake up again ... especially true when closing the lid ... walking to another location .. open the lid ... the green power light still on .. but no response from the screen ...

Had to turn off the notebook and turn it on again to solve ... irritating ... feel like going back to Windows 7 since Sony recently released the Windows 7 drivers

Anyhow .. I found the solution. Just uninstall the graphic driver and install the latest one from Sony Support website (for some strange reason, the Asia Pac one not updated with Windows 8.1 drivers) ... you need to get the drives from Sony USA.

(1) I don't think the Vaio notebooks in Malaysia have a higher price tag. In fact, most of the Vaio are cheaper in Malaysia compared to overseas (which have not included the sales tax). The only problem is you don't have freedom to customise the hardware if you buy locally.

(2) It's definitely safe to buy overseas ... as long as you get it from a reliable source (Amazon, Best Buy, etc.) ... but the shipment cost will kill you. Also, don't forget that Vaio only come with 1 year international warranty. If you buy it locally, you get 1 year international warranty and 2 years local warranty (with the option to extend the warranty up to 5 years). And trust me ... that warranty will be worth your while knowing how much Sony charges to repair your devices. If you really want to buy from overseas, try Sony itself (you can order it online and ship your devices to relevant forwards - like CGW, MyUS, etc.) ... those forwarders will arrange to ship the notebook to you ....

(3) Depends on the devices... The Vaio Pro for example has everything soldered on (like RAM). Will be tough to make upgrades/changes yourself ... however, there are other range like Vaio Fit which you can easily swap RAM and HDD/SSD ... but are you willing to loose the warranty ?

(4) That is up to you .... cannot comment since it's a personal choice

I'm not sure .... best you check / google it first .... I think any attempt to open the notebook (unless it comes with some special slot which allow you to easily access the memory slot) would be considered a void of warranty .... but obviously you can remove the additional memory module before sending in for repairs

Just got clarification that adding RAM does not void warranty ... but your additional RAM is not covered by the original warranty (even the extended warranty). So that's that ...

This post has been edited by sookk: Oct 21 2013, 05:54 PM

What is the SecureBoot disease ?

Dang .. that sucks .... well ... it's irritating .. but it doesn't stop any functionality ...

Do you want to repair from official sources? If so, you can probably give Sony Service Center (http://www.sony.com.my/section/servicecentres) a call and get a quote first

Vaio Tap 11 unfortunately is not a powerhouse ... Managed to play with it while in Bangkok ... I would say ... if you tried using a Microsoft Surface Pro (not the 2nd version) ... it's more or less like that .. a bit sluggish

You can try calling Sony Style and getting an estimated arrival date ... normally they are quite accurate ... it's already selling in Thailand if you cannot wait

The 13 inch model is selling at RM 4400 (converted from THB with VAT included)

http://www.sony.co.th/product/svf13n12sh?site=hp_en_TH_i

Technically ... it should start selling here 2-3 months after it is released in Thailand

Vaio comes with 2 years warranty (local) with first year as international warranty ... in case you are getting it in Thailand ... so you can consider it

This post has been edited by sookk: Nov 29 2013, 02:32 PM

Personally I have used both the MBA11 and Vaio pro 11... Just like yourself I have constant travelling overseas and need something light and practical. My only concern about the Vaio pro 11 is the screen resolution is to high and the yourself on Windows 8 isn't as great as the Mac retina display scaling... In terms of portability.. They both win hands down...

But the thing is using mba11 has its own set of challenges as well. The reason why I moved to a 13 inch screen is because 11 is not practical to use for a long period of time. Pretty bad for the eyes.

Since you have already shortlisted both these notebooks, Why don't you check out the screen of the Vaio pro 11 at the stores and see if you like it. Make sure to test it in desktop mode with word processing... Windows 8 start screen mode is always up scaled. If you don't mind the screen resolution... By all means go grab it.. Silver one is less of a fingerprint magnet

I think most of the people jumped to Macs ..... ever since you can install bootcamp and run Windows on those machines .... everybody owns a mac now

Why don't you head over to Sony Center (KLCC/The Curve) to check them out

Sony no longer part of development for new vaio notebooks ... but they still do sell them in the stores and online